Physical Therapy Blog

Dry needling has become a popular therapeutic technique in physical therapy, but a common question many potential patients have is, "Does dry needling hurt?" This is a valid concern, as the idea of needles can understandably create anxiety. Pain is indeed subjective, and everyone’s experience with dry needling can differ. However, understanding what to expect can help reduce some of this anxiety. Your physical therapist will do their best to make sure that you are comfortable throughout the entire procedure and will answer all questions you have. We prioritize patient education at EW Motion Therapy, especially when a patient is interested in dry needling. We pull from our own experience in this article, as we explore how people have described the sensation of dry needling, compare it to the pain of an injection, and discuss how physical therapists can prepare and educate patients for the procedure.

Dry needling is an increasingly popular treatment among those seeking relief from muscle pain and tightness. Often used by physical therapists, this technique involves inserting a thin, solid needle into specific “trigger points” on the body to stimulate a muscle, alleviate pain, and improve mobility. If you're considering dry needling, you likely have questions about its effectiveness, specifically how quickly you can expect to see results. At EW Motion Therapy, your physical therapist will assess your symptoms and suggest a plan of treatment that may include dry needling. If and when dry needling is used, your therapist will explain the procedure, the benefits, and the expected outcomes so you are fully aware of how it will help you. To answer some of your questions, this article explores what you can expect immediately after dry needling, how to gauge its effectiveness, the duration of its effects, factors that influence these outcomes, and the typical number of sessions required to achieve lasting relief. With this information, you can decide if dry needling is the right treatment for you, whether you come to EW Motion Therapy for the procedure or not.

Runners, known for their dedication and endurance, often face musculoskeletal challenges. As they push their limits, the repetitive stress and strain on their bodies can lead to various conditions. This is where dry needling, a unique and effective therapy, comes into play, offering relief and improved performance. Dry needling often works best when combined with physical therapy - many of our physical therapists at EW Motion Therapy are dry-needling certified. They can incorporate it into any runner’s treatment plan. But even if you decide that our services don’t fit your needs, you can still read on as we explore dry needling for runners, its benefits, common conditions it can alleviate, and how it integrates with physical therapy and other treatments.

EW Motion Therapy has been serving the greater Birmingham area since 1999, and we are proud of our legacy as a company. We have helped thousands of patients/clients reach their goals, and we consider it a privilege to do this every single day at our six clinics. But I’m sure you’re wondering: who are the people behind this whole operation? How did the company start? Well, sit back and relax, grab a cold drink, and I will tell you the entire story.

Neck pain is a common complaint among people of all ages, often disrupting daily activities and quality of life. Dry needling has emerged as a promising pain management strategy and effective solution for musculoskeletal causes of neck pain. We have many physical therapists at EW Motion Therapy who are certified in dry needling, and they may suggest it as part of your treatment if they feel it would provide relief. Even if you decide that our services don’t fit your needs, you can still read on as we delve into the causes of neck pain, explain the role of dry needling in pain relief, and explore its integration with physical therapy for holistic treatment.

Plantar fasciitis, a common ailment affecting the foot, can significantly impact your daily life, limiting mobility and causing discomfort. For those seeking relief, dry needling has emerged as a promising treatment, especially when combined with physical therapy. We have many physical therapists at EW Motion Therapy who are certified in dry needling, and they may suggest it as part of your treatment. You may decide that our services don’t fit your needs, but you can still read on as we discuss plantar fasciitis, explore the potential of dry needling, and examine how it works with physical therapy to manage this condition effectively.

Several treatment options are available for managing pain and promoting physical well-being. One intervention gaining popularity in recent years is dry needling. However, like any emerging medical practice, dry needling has its fair share of myths and misconceptions. We have many dry-needling-certified physical therapists on our team at EW Motion Therapy, and they may suggest the treatment if they feel it would benefit your specific condition. Even if you decide that our services do not fit your needs, you can still read on as we delve into the facts, debunk the myths, and explore the benefits of this treatment.

Muscles twitch randomly all the time, but if the twitching becomes more consistent and you cannot get it to stop, that may be a muscle spasm. Muscle spasms can be painful and even prevent you from doing some of your daily activities as easily as you did before. So what can you do? What are the best treatment options?

Migraine headaches can be debilitating, but many treatment options are available. If you get migraines, you probably know some things that help you feel better: which medicine works best, if you need caffeine, or the closest dark room you can sleep in until it goes away. For some, dry needling could help symptoms associated with a certain kind of migraine. But how do you know what type you have? And what if you can’t get to a dry needling session in time to diffuse the migraine?

Dry needling may seem like an intimidating procedure if you have a fear of needles. If you finally gain the courage to go to a needling session, and you are then presented with the option of adding electrical stimulation, that may increase your fear even more. Your mind may flash to the image of a black and white Frankenstein being struck by lightning. You may wonder if it hurts more and whether the electrical stimulation would benefit you. Even though your practitioner will go over everything with you before you get started, it may be difficult to dismiss all of your nerves.