Dry Needling for Back Pain: A Natural Approach to Relief

Back pain is far too common. Many people experience chronic aches and pains from which they're desperate for relief. Whether aging, poor posture, injury, repeated range of motion, or a sedentary lifestyle plagues one's back, effective treatment is essential. 

Dry needling therapy for back pain is one of the newer treatments trending today. This natural, non-invasive needle therapy uses specialized needles to penetrate tight regions in the muscle, focusing on trigger points or knots, to soothe discomfort. 

This article discusses dry needling, how it can alleviate back pain, and what to expect throughout the process.

What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a physical therapy technique in which a trained and licensed professional inserts an ultra-fine needle into trigger points, which are tight bands of muscle that cause pain and tension. 

Acupuncture is similar but based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. On the other hand, dry needling follows the practices of Western medicine and is more specific and targeted to address the musculoskeletal system. These trigger points are sometimes referred to as "knots" and occur for a number of reasons, ranging from injury to stress and chronic overuse, underuse, or inactivity. When the therapist inserts the needle into the muscle, it creates a twitch response, which helps increase blood flow to the area for release.

How Dry Needling Helps with Back Pain

There are many reasons why people experience back pain, from tight and overworked muscles to posture problems to misalignment of the spine to generalized stress on surrounding tissues. \

Fortunately, dry needling eases back pain by:

Releasing Trigger Points

Trigger points are tight, knotted areas of muscle that generate pain. When a needle is inserted into the location of a trigger point, it creates a twitch response in that muscle. This reflexive response helps to rid the area of tightness and pain.

Increasing Blood Flow

When certain areas of the back are dry needled, blood flow to the area increases. This means that more blood comes to the region infused with more oxygen and nutrients, which allows the body to heal itself more quickly.

Decreasing Inflammation

Many tight muscle areas generate trigger points, which ultimately result in inflammation. Muscles become tight and sore. Establishing relaxation through dry needling also calms inflammation.

Restoring Range of Motion

Tight muscles mean limited range of motion. Therefore, after treatment, when dry needling relieves back pain, patients find they can move without tension more easily.

Decompressing Nerves

Sometimes, when muscles become so tense and they've worked themselves into a knot, they begin compressing adjacent nerves. This results in radiating pain elsewhere or numbness. Dry needling helps decompress these nerves to relieve tingling, pain, or burning, in addition to local discomfort.

Although some patients will feel significant relief after one or two sessions, those who experience acute or chronic back pain may require multiple consistent sessions over time to maintain muscle looseness. 

What to Expect During a Dry Needling Session

For those interested in dry needling in Denver for back pain, here's what you can expect during a typical appointment:

The first part of the dry needling session will involve an evaluation by a licensed physical therapist who observes your posture, movement, and muscle functioning to pinpoint the origins of dysfunction and pain. Once the assessment is complete, they will use their findings to determine the trigger points that are causing you pain.

Then comes the treatment portion. The physical therapist uses very thin, sterile needles to penetrate the determined trigger points. You may feel a slight twitch in the muscle, a mild muscle cramp, or a dull ache in the area. This is a good sign, as it means your muscle is responding appropriately to the treatment and beginning to release its tension.

Afterward, you may feel slight soreness in the area, similar to delayed-onset muscle soreness that often occurs after deep tissue massage. This is entirely normal and should subside within one to two days. Applying heat or ice and gentle movement of the area will help alleviate any discomfort.

Your physical therapist may recommend stretches, posture exercises, or strengthening techniques to allow the area to heal and avoid further back pain. This is expected because, depending on their professional suggestions, dry needling works best with follow-up care and is a critical component of any pain management strategy or physical therapy treatment plan.

Benefits of Dry Needling for Back Pain

Dry needling offers the following benefits for back-related pain:

Drug-Free Relief

Dry needling eliminates back pain without the need for pain relief medications and injections, decreases side effects, and has no possibility of addiction. For someone attempting to avoid surgery and drugs, this is a natural back pain relief option.

Fast Results

Many people see results after just one session of dry needling. Especially for acute pain conditions, muscle release and increased circulation happen almost immediately after one session.

Targeted Treatment

With dry needling, the therapist will directly target the muscles causing tension, as opposed to applying an all-over relaxation technique. Dry needling focuses on trigger points during assessment and treatment.

Safe and Efficient

The physical therapists who use dry needling protocols are licensed and have their own certifications for dry needling. The needles used are sterile, single-use acupuncture-type needles, making this treatment clean and almost pain-free.

Long-Term Healing 

In addition to dry needling, full physical therapy treatment plans with stretches, functional exercise and postural education can encourage long-term recovery to avoid re-aggravation of pain.

Dry Needling vs. Other Back Pain Treatments

Where pain pills, rest, and surgery offer solutions, dry needling is a natural, noninvasive answer. It works with physical therapy, which uses techniques ranging from therapeutic exercises to massage. While dry needling may eliminate the symptom of pain, it eliminates it from the source. The treatment relieves trigger points and tension in the muscles.

Who Should Consider Dry Needling Therapy?

Dry needling may be right for you if you:

• Have chronic or recurring back pain
• Experience muscle tightness that doesn’t go away with stretching
• Want a natural and effective alternative to medication
• Are recovering from a sports or work-related injury

It’s essential to speak with a qualified physical therapist to determine if this therapy is right for your condition.

Choosing Dry Needling Therapy in Denver

If you're looking for dry needling in Denver, be sure to choose a certified, experienced physical therapy clinic. Licensed therapists will not only provide dry needling but also any other related requirements for your healing, such as manual therapy, corrective exercises, and postural re-education. Such an array of treatment options provides you with the best possibility of successful, permanent relief.

Final Thoughts

Stop allowing back pain to dictate your life. Natural, effective healing is possible with dry needling therapy. This procedure benefits anyone attempting physical therapy for the first time and anyone ready for a new physical therapy approach by relieving muscle tension and restoring the balance your body craves.

If you're prepared to tackle your back pain and discover a noninvasive treatment option, consult with a certified physical therapist to learn how dry needling can help you get back on the move.