Shop and Save with ibotta
Following the latest health and fitness trends is not always
a good idea, but after some serious knots in my back and glute caused some
unbearble pain that kept me from walking, I needed some relief. The physical
therapist I started going to proposed a solution that I had only heard little
and knew even less about--dry needling.
I didn't know what to expect, but I can't put into words how
thankful I am that I decided to try it. After the first day, only five needles,
the transformation in my pain and movement was night and day. It wasn't gone,
but I could freely walk without crying and only a slight limp, while that
morning I was in tears with most steps and could barely walk into the
clinic.
What is a trigger point?
Trigger points are typically caused from repetitive use or
acute trauma that damages tissues. This creates inflammation, causes
tissues go into a protective state, inhibits circulation, limits oxygen
and blood flow, and prevents waste from leaving the area. This congestion of
tissues causes what is commonly known as a muscle knot. They can also
cause scar tissue and put pressure on nerves. Trigger points can be
painful in their own area as well as cause referred pain to another part of the
body. In my case, the knots in my glute felt funny, but the sharp pains were
referred to my SI joint (lower spine and hip areas).
What is TDN (Trigger Point Dry Needling)?
Trigger point dry needling, TDN, is called "dry"
because the needles have nothing in them that is injected like with a shot. The
needle itself is the treatment. The very thin filament needles are inserted
into the skin and muscle to release myofascial trigger points. The needles can
be of various lengths and left in the body for various amounts of time. Mine
were 60 mm (about 2.4 inches long) and were left in for generally three to ten
minutes.
When the needle goes into the muscle, it can cut between
three to fifteen thousand individual muscle fibers. The body will react to the
needle as if it is a foreign invader, triggering inflammation and immune
responses in the area and throughout the body to further accelerate relief.
Does it hurt?
The needles are inserted into a contracted, painful muscle
to create a local twitch reflex. Patients may not even feel the needle break
the skin--I never did. When a twitch is elicited, it can produce a very brief
pain that patients usually describe as an ache or cramp-like feeling. These
twitches and little pains are good! That is the sign of the knot breaking up.
My PT and I both knew when she hit the right spot. I would flinch a bit
and feel a sudden jump in my muscle, like a small spasm, but within a split
second, that pain was gone and I couldn't feel anything again. When the muscles
or skin were tighter, they would kind of hold onto the needle, and I could feel
it sort of slide when they were removed, but there was never any real pain in
my hip or all the way up my back.
Are there side effects?
Dry needling can cause soreness and occasional bruising. You
may also get dizzy or nauseas, but that can be more psychological than
physical, especially if you are squeemish. Luckily for me, I was lying down for
all my needle sessions, and I could not see what was going on since it was on
my back and hip. I experienced intial soreness, especially in the areas that
had a big twitch, but this went away within an hour or so if not sooner. I also
never bruised even though a pain-relief shot the week before had left me
bruised!
What ailments can TDN help with?
A large variety of pains can be eased, including, neck,
back, shoulder, knee, hip, glute, chronic pains; tennis elbow; headaches;
tendonitis; plantar fasciitis; sciatica; and sprains.
Where I stand
On both legs! While dry needling is a relatively new
practice, it is one trend that I have experienced success with firsthand from
some of the worst pain I have ever been in. I was able to start cross
training the day after my first needling. After each day I had this done, there
was tremendous progress. I was so fascinated with both how I couldn't feel such
long needles going so deep into my muscles and how effective it was at
releasing my knots and pain. They were so happy about my progress, but my
parents probably got annoyed with me telling them all about it. Now, exactly
four weeks from the onset of my muscle spasms, I can do all my daily activities
with no pain and have been able to add in running again. It will still be a
slow comeback into full training, but I can't imagine how long it would take if
I had not jumpstarted healing with dry needling. Unspeakably thankful, I will
proudly toot the horn of the trendy train for TDN.
If you are having tightness pains that other methods are not
helping, I highly recommend it! A limited number of physicians are certified
with this new technique, but it is important to find someone who is qualified.
Hey I have read your article and that helped me to write my article about rhinoplasty procedure you must have a check on my article.
ReplyDelete