Dry needling with electrical stimulation is a cutting-edge treatment that combines two powerful techniques: trigger point dry needling and electrical nerve stimulation. This therapy is used to target specific muscle groups, relieve pain, and restore function, particularly for those suffering from myofascial pain syndrome and other chronic pain conditions. As one of the most innovative physical therapy treatments, it offers a non-invasive way to manage discomfort and improve muscle function. In this blog, we will delve into what dry needling with electrical stimulation is, its benefits, and what you can expect during a dry needling session.
What is Dry Needling with Electrical Stimulation?
Dry needling with electrical stimulation uses stainless steel acupuncture needles to target specific trigger points in the muscles. When these needles are inserted, patients often experience a twitch response—a rapid contraction and release of the muscle fibers that signals effective treatment. This response helps improve blood flow to the area, promoting healing and reducing inflammation. The combination of dry needling with manual therapy provides a comprehensive approach to treating musculoskeletal issues, addressing both muscle tightness and pain.
Combining dry needling with electrical nerve stimulation enhances the physiological effects, offering a comprehensive approach to pain modulation and tension relief. The biphasic waveform of the electric current can effectively relax the taut bands in the muscles and address underlying issues such as muscle soreness and limitations in activities like daily life and work-related tasks.
How Dry Needling with Electrical Stimulation Works
The needles used in dry needling are inserted directly into the latent trigger points of the muscle, which often cause tension and discomfort. These are areas where the muscle fibers are knotted, causing pain or restricting movement. Once the needles are in place, a small electrical current is passed through the needles, causing the muscle to contract and release. Although post-needling soreness is common after a session, many clinical trials have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of this technique in improving muscle function.
A systematic review of clinical trials shows that trigger point needling combined with electric stimulation produces significant positive effects in treating musculoskeletal shoulder pain, chronic low-back pain, and myofascial neck pain. Additionally, study participants in various randomized trials have reported a marked decrease in pain intensity and an increase in muscle function after undergoing this therapy.
Benefits of Dry Needling with Electrical Stimulation
Dry needling with electrical stimulation (DNES) with or without CPT has been shown to provide significant improvements in both pain and disability for patients with musculoskeletal pain (MSP). Additionally, DNES is recognized as a safe treatment option for MSP and can serve as an effective alternative to other commonly used interventions. The results are supported by scientific evidence showing an overall enhancement in patients’ daily function. There are several benefits of dry needling with electrical stimulation, making it a popular choice for patients with musculoskeletal pain. These include:
Can Decrease Muscle Tension and Tone
The myofascial trigger points that cause tension in muscles are directly targeted with dry needling and then stimulated by an electric current. This decreases muscle tone and alleviates the knots in taut bands of muscle fibers, providing relief from pain and improving overall muscle function.
Can Improve Range of Motion
This therapy can enhance segmental mobility and improve the flexibility of muscles that may have been restricted by tight trigger points. By relaxing muscles and promoting tissue healing, dry needling with electrical nerve stimulation can restore movement in affected areas, such as the shoulder impingement region or the lumbar region.
Can Relieve Pain
Dry needling with electrical stimulation is an effective tool for pain management, especially for conditions such as musculoskeletal shoulder pain, chronic lumbar discomfort, and back pain. The combination of needle insertion and electrical stimulation blocks noxious stimuli, reducing the brain’s perception of pain.
Clinical studies have demonstrated that the therapy decreases pain intensity on scales like the 4-point scale and 6-point scale used in pain assessments. Patients who experience worst pain imaginable report significant improvements after several sessions of this treatment modality.
Conditions Treated with Dry Needling with Electrical Stimulation
This therapy is highly effective for conditions such as musculoskeletal shoulder pain, Knee Osteoarthritis, muscular pain, back, shoulder, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, lateral epicondylitis, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, sciatica, and headaches. In cases of chronic body pain or musculoskeletal conditions, patients may experience notable relief, improving their daily living activities. Dry needling with electrical stimulation is used to treat a variety of common conditions involving musculoskeletal pain. These include:
Muscular Pain
Trigger points in the muscles often cause myofascial pain syndrome, which can manifest as sharp, aching pain. This therapy is designed to relieve pain by addressing the myofascial triggers causing discomfort.
Back, Shoulder, Neck Pain
Myofascial neck pain, shoulder pain, and lower back pain are all commonly treated with this therapy. The combination of dry needles and electric stimulation helps release tension in the upper trapezius, quadratus lumborum, and trapezius muscle areas, improving daily function and reducing pain intensity.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel symptoms like pain, tingling, and numbness can be alleviated with dry needling. The electric stimulation helps relieve tension in the flexor muscles in the wrist, improving hand function and reducing limitations in activities.
Lateral Epicondylitis
Also known as tennis elbow, this condition causes pain and inflammation in the flexor muscles of the forearm. Dry needling, along with electric stimulation, can provide relief by addressing the underlying muscle tension.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis, a condition marked by heel pain due to inflammation in the foot, is another area where dry needling can help. It decreases muscle soreness and promotes healing by improving blood flow to the area.
Tendonitis
Inflamed tendons, especially around joints, can benefit from this therapy. The electric stimulation reduces pain and improves tissue flexibility, allowing for better movement and faster recovery.
Sciatica
Sciatica is a painful condition caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve, often resulting in discomfort down the leg. Dry needling with electrical stimulation can relax the muscles compressing the nerve, leading to a decrease in pain and improved function.
Headaches
Patients suffering from chronic headaches or migraines often have tight muscles in their neck and shoulders. By targeting trigger points in these areas, this therapy helps reduce headache frequency and intensity.
Is Dry Needling with Electrical Stimulation Safe?
Dry needling is considered a safe and minimally painful technique that offers substantial benefits for individuals dealing with musculoskeletal conditions. Many patients have reported life-changing improvements, experiencing reduced pain and enhanced mobility, which has positively impacted their quality of life. Most patients experience only minimal adverse effects, such as mild bruising or post-needling soreness. It’s important to communicate any history of emotional distress or underlying emotional role in pain, as these factors can impact treatment outcomes. When done properly, this therapy offers safe and effective relief from musculoskeletal pain without the need for surgery or invasive procedures. The procedure uses sterile monofilament needles and a controlled electric current. While most patients experience relief, some may feel post-needling soreness, slight bruising, or temporary discomfort, especially after their first dry needling session.
As with any conservative treatment, there are risks, but these are minimal when following proper protocols. For instance, patients with emotional distress or physical illness may not respond as well to this therapy. It is important to discuss any concerns with your physical therapist to ensure that this treatment is right for you.
When Should Dry Needling with Electrical Stimulation Not Be Used?
Dry needling should not be used in areas where there is active infection, open wounds, or compromised skin. Patients who are pregnant, have a pacemaker, or have severe physical illness may not be suitable candidates for this treatment modality. Exclusion criteria for this therapy also include severe bleeding disorders, recent surgery, or certain chronic conditions.
What to Expect During a Treatment Session
During a session, your therapist will first assess your condition and identify the areas that require treatment. In some cases, they may recommend additional therapies, such as spinal manipulation or an analytical stretching procedure, to complement the effects of dry needling. Patients may also be asked to perform lumbar spine exercises or engage in isometric resistance activities during the session to enhance the overall treatment effects.
Research indicates that dry needling can decrease pain and raise the pressure pain threshold during the initial treatment phase and up to 12 weeks post-treatment. While the long-term benefits of dry needling, particularly at 6 to 12 months, continue to show a reduction in pain, the statistical significance of these results is less pronounced over extended periods.
How to Find Certified Physical Therapists
If you’re looking for dry needling with electrical stimulation near me, it’s essential to choose a certified therapist who specializes in this technique. Many therapists who offer manual therapy and spinal manipulation may also be qualified to perform dry needling. Look for professionals who have undergone specialized training and have a track record of success in treating musculoskeletal pain.
Conclusion
Dry needling with electrical stimulation is a powerful tool in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, offering significant improvements in pain and muscle function. Numerous studies provide scientific evidence that patients experience a decrease in pain and even a decrease in disability, allowing for a better quality of life using this treatment. By combining dry needling with electric stimulation, this therapy can help improve physical function, reduce pain, and promote healing. Whether you’re suffering from myofascial pain syndrome, chronic pain, or an injury, this type of treatment can offer significant relief and improve your quality of life.
At Continuous Motion Physical Therapy, we specialize in innovative and personalized treatment options that help our patients achieve long-lasting relief from pain and improve their quality of life. Our expert therapists provide effective dry needling treatment, a proven technique to target muscle pain and tension, making it ideal for individuals suffering from conditions like tendonitis and chronic migraines. For those seeking relief from persistent headaches, our migraine dry needling service offers targeted therapy that reduces pain and enhances overall well-being. Trust us to help you get back to pain-free, active living.
FAQ’S
Do dry needling and electrical stimulation work?
Yes, multiple scientific studies and randomized trials support the effectiveness of dry needling with electrical stimulation in relieving musculoskeletal pain and improving muscle function. The therapy works by targeting trigger points and stimulating muscle contractions, leading to a reduction in pain and tension.
What is the electric sensation in dry needling?
The electric sensation felt during the procedure is typically described as a mild tingling or tapping sensation. This occurs when the electric current is passed through the dry needles, stimulating the muscle fibers and causing them to contract and relax.
How many sessions of dry needling are needed?
The number of sessions needed depends on the severity of the condition and the individual patient. Study participants in various clinical trials have seen improvements after several sessions, with the study flow indicating positive results over time. Most patients will notice a reduction in pain and improvement in function after 4-6 sessions, depending on factors like pain threshold and continuous variables such as range of motion.
