Is Dry Needling Therapy Safe?

Dry needling is one of the latest approaches trained practitioners use to ease muscular pain. As the name suggests, dry needling involves putting dry needles into your skin. The needles are called dry because they don't have any medications or additives in them. Dry needling, a type of acupuncture, will target certain trigger points to relieve pain and tension in your muscles.


Chiropractors and physical therapists who received training in treating myofascial injuries can perform this procedure. Dry needling is gaining popularity these days because of its amazing benefits. But like any treatment, safety will always be a concern. Are you wondering whether dry needling therapy is safe? Read on to learn more about this trend.

 

Yes, It Is Safe

The practice of dry needling is very safe. Your chiropractor or therapist will have undergone intense training to be certified in performing this type of procedure. You can expect them to have a vast knowledge of human anatomy and be skilled at determining where exactly to insert the needles. 

Dry needling is outside a chiropractor's or any other allied health provider's scope of education, training, and practice. So, your therapist will have to be licensed by law to practice acupuncture. This way, they will be qualified to perform dry needling. In most states, a person can become a licensed acupuncturist by completing at least 1,245 hours of education plus 665 hours of supervised clinical training.

Additionally, rest assured that your chiropractor will use a sterile acupuncture needle for one injection site only. Minimal bleeding may occur, if any, due to the needles being only 1/4-millimeter thick. The average diameter of an acupuncture needle is approximately 10 times smaller compared to the average diameter of an injection needle. 

Chiropractors and other allied health professionals have to be licensed by law before they can legally purchase acupuncture needles. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorized acupuncture needles under Class II medical devices. This means that they are subject to special controls for labeling, guidance, tracking, and more. They fall under the FDA's strict regulations. 

 

What to Expect After Dry Needling Therapy

Usually, patients feel pain during dry needling, but it's short-lived. In general, the pain level indicates the relief level you will feel after treatment. If you don't feel it at all, then it's not working. You may feel sore in the treated area right after your session. The soreness is often just like something you get after strength training. This is normal but doesn't always happen. The soreness will vary from one patient to another and the area of your body that was treated. In many cases, this mild discomfort will resolve within a day. You may also experience some bruising along with soreness. Gentle stretching and ice or warm compress can reduce the soreness. You may also help your muscles heal and restore their function by staying hydrated. Exercise and gentle massage are also effective at easing pain. 

Do you have pain or problems with your range of motion, coordination, or balance? Dry needling therapy may help. Visit Whiplash Pain Center today in any of our offices in Summerville, Charleston, or North Charleston, South Carolina. You can also call (843) 281-7837 for Summerville, (843) 972-7246 for Charleston, and (843) 636-7246 for North Charleston to learn more about this safe and effective approach.