Are you dealing with persistent muscle pain, stiffness, or limited mobility? If so, you may be one of the millions of people living with a chronic pain condition like fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, or repetitive strain injury. These types of musculoskeletal disorders can have a major impact on your quality of life, making even simple day-to-day tasks challenging.
Fortunately, there’s a treatment approach that can provide significant relief – dry needling with electrical stimulation.
Dry needling addresses the root causes of chronic pain by releasing muscle tension, reducing inflammation, and restoring proper muscle function. When combined, the mechanical effects of dry needling and the neurophysiological benefits of e-stim can lead to meaningful and lasting improvements for patients.
What is dry needling?
Dry needling is a very effective therapy for treating musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. Combined with electrical stimulation, dry needling can provide even greater benefits for patients with chronic pain conditions.
Dry needling involves inserting thin filiform needles into specific trigger points or myofascial areas to elicit a therapeutic response. The needles are inserted directly into the muscle tissue, rather than along the energy meridians like in traditional acupuncture. This targeted approach allows dry needling to directly address the source of muscle tension, spasms, and pain.
Electrical stimulation, electrostimulation, or e-stim, is often applied with dry needling to enhance the treatment’s efficiency. E-stim involves running a mild electrical current through the inserted needles, which can further promote healing and pain relief.
Dry needling with e-stim is a versatile treatment approach
Dry needling with e-stim is a versatile treatment that can be applied to a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including:
- Lower back pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Knee or hip pain
- Tennis elbow
- Plantar fasciitis
- Myofascial pain syndrome
The ability to target specific trigger points or muscle groups makes dry needling an effective complement to other physical therapy modalities. It can be used alone or in combination with corrective exercise or other interventions to provide comprehensive pain relief and functional improvements.
Dry needling with electrical stimulation reduces pain
Dry needling with e-stim is highly effective at reducing both acute and chronic pain. These needles work to break up trigger points and adhesions in the muscle tissue, which are a common source of musculoskeletal pain. This electrical stimulation further blocks pain signals and triggers the release of the body’s natural painkillers, known as endorphins.
Research shows dry needling can significantly improve pain levels for conditions like low back pain, neck pain, headaches, and various styles of myofascial pain. One study found that dry needling led to a massive reduction in neck pain intensity compared to a control group. Patients also report experiencing lasting pain relief that can last for weeks or months after a dry needling with e-stim treatment.
Dry needling with electrical stimulation can improve the range of motion
In addition to pain relief, dry needling with e-stim can also improve joint range of motion and flexibility. By releasing muscle tension and breaking up adhesions, dry needling allows the muscles and connective tissues to move more freely. This can lead to greater mobility and decreased stiffness, particularly in areas such as the back, neck, and shoulders.
One study on patients with shoulder impingement syndrome found that dry needling significantly improved the range of motion in the shoulder, with patients experiencing a 30-degree increase in abduction and flexion. Improved range of motion can make it easier for patients to perform daily activities and activities without pain.
Dry needling with electrical stimulation can enhance muscle function
The focused muscle activation from dry needling, combined with the neuromuscular effects of electrical stimulation, can help restore proper muscle function and coordination. This is particularly beneficial for patients dealing with muscle imbalances, weakness, or inhibition.
The electrical current applied through the needles helps recruit more muscle fibers and reactivate dysfunctional motor units. This can improve muscle strength, endurance, and the brain’s ability to properly activate the target muscles. Patients may notice improved movement patterns and a reduced risk of re-injury after undergoing dry needling with e-stim.
Dry needling with electrical stimulation reduces inflammation
Both dry needling and electrical stimulation have been shown to decrease inflammation in the body. The mechanical stimulation of the needle insertion, as well as the electrical current, can trigger the release of anti-inflammatory substances like cytokines. This helps reduce swelling, redness, and other inflammatory symptoms associated with injuries or chronic pain conditions.
Dry needling with electrical stimulation lowers sympathetic tone
Dry needling with e-stim can also help lower sympathetic nervous system activity, which is often elevated in chronic pain patients. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body’s fight-or-flight response, leading to increased muscle tension, restricted blood flow, and other physiological changes that can exacerbate pain.
By disrupting this sympathetic response, dry needling with electrical stimulation can help the body shift into a more parasympathetic, or rest-and-digest, state. This allows for better blood flow, reduced muscle guarding, and an overall decrease in pain perception.
Dry needling with electrical stimulation improves sleep quality
Many patients with chronic pain conditions also struggle with poor sleep quality. The combination of pain, tension, and elevated stress hormones can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep. Dry needling with e-stim can help address this issue by reducing pain levels, relaxing the muscles, and lowering sympathetic tone.
Studies show dry needling leads to significant improvements in sleep quality, sleep efficiency, and reductions in sleep disturbances. Better sleep, in turn, can have a positive impact on overall health, energy levels, and pain management.
Get in touch with us today
Chronic pain conditions require an ongoing, multi-faceted treatment approach. At Lycoming Orthopedic & Sports Acupuncture, we’re dedicated to helping each of our patients find lasting relief and overcome the symptoms that have been holding them back. Dry needling with electrical stimulation is one of the key therapies we use to address the root causes of persistent musculoskeletal pain.
If you’re ready to finally find relief from chronic pain, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation, and take the first step towards reclaiming your health and active lifestyle.
