Dry needling can be used to treat muscular pain and stiffness in various areas of the body. A highly effective treatment, it can help to improve suppleness and flexibility and increase the range of motion. Whilst there are many reasons to undergo dry needling, you might be concerned that the treatment is painful. Read on to find out what level of discomfort you can expect during and after the procedure.
Does dry needling hurt?
You might assume that inserting lots of needles into your muscles will be painful. However, this is rarely the case. Inserting the needles doesn’t usually hurt, simply because they’re very thin. It’s possible the muscle will twitch when the needle goes in, in which case you may feel some soreness. The muscle may also feel slightly sore for a day or two after the treatment. You can rest assured that this is a normal response. Some of the most common side effects of dry needling can be found below.
- Pain and soreness – As mentioned above, you may experience some pain or soreness in the hours and days following dry needling treatment. This can usually be eased using over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Bruising or bleeding – Bruising can sometimes happen in the area that’s received the dry needling treatment. Fortunately, it normally goes away within a couple of days. If you’re on blood thinners, make sure you tell your therapist this. You may experience some minor bleeding as a side effect.
- Skin irritation – The needles used in dry needling can sometimes cause the skin to become irritated immediately after treatment. Keep the area clean and dry and any irritation should soon subside quickly.
- Fatigue – Some people report feeling tired, emotional, or “out of it” after dry needling treatment. This is a normal response that usually lasts up to 1-2 hours following the procedure. This feeling usually passes quickly and you will likely sleep better than usual following treatment.
Most of these side effects are minor and don’t cause significant distress or injury to patients who undergo dry needling treatment. If side effects persist, make sure you consult with your doctor who will be able to advise you.
Is dry needling safe?
Dry needling is considered very safe as long it’s performed by a licensed and trained healthcare professional. This will ensure that the risks of the treatment, such as infection from non-sterile needles and organ damage resulting from a needle that punctures a major organ, are greatly reduced. Do your research when searching for a dry needling practitioner in your area. Ask questions to check they possess the required expertise and look for reviews from past clients.
Book a dry needling session
If you want to reduce muscle pain and stiffness, why not book in for a dry needling session? Call us on 01245 901170, email info@fayepattison.com or send us a message via our website. We are on hand to tell you more about our dry needling treatment and what you can expect during and after the procedure.
