Functional Dry Needling – How it Can Help Treat Low Back Pain

At CHI Health St. Mary’s we use a multitude of therapy interventions in the treatment of low back pain. In addition to the normal joint mobilization and corrective exercises, we also like to utilize functional dry needling.
In functional dry needling, we insert a tiny monofilament needle into your muscles to help reduce the amount of spasm and tension within that segment. In doing so, we increase the blood flow and promote healing in a very safe and helpful manner.
We’re going to demonstrate functional needling for the elevation and treatment of low back pain. We use a tiny monofilament needle to go into the muscle and help break up any tight tissue or trigger points. By doing so, we identify the tight spot, we bracket around the tissue and insert the needling into the skin. We then angle back, down into the muscle until that muscle elicits a twitch. Thus, breaking up the knots.
From there, we can leave the needle or we can insert a secondary needle and use electrical stimulation that helps cut down on post needle soreness. The key with functional dry needling is the needle insertion into the muscle. However, the electrical stimulation will help with soreness later on that day and into the next day.
By inserting the secondary needle at the level below, you can angle back. There you go. And use alligator clips to elicit a muscle contraction out of the tissue. If we look closely, we can see that muscle bouncing up and down as that tissue not only gets increase blood flow, but also starts to relax.

[Linkario]

I had nasty pain in my shoulders once and that therapist asked me if I was okay with needles. I said yes, as I sometimes felt like inserting a needle would feel godly. I tried accupuncture once but that wasn't quiet the thing I needed. But that dryneedling, I tell you it feels like heaven to me and erased my pain.

[RayNette]

I had this done today on my lower back and it was my first time. I didn’t really feel any of those needles being inserted or the tens unit. I sure felt a lot better afterwards. Just a little bit of soreness like a deep tissue massage afterwards.

[veeras]

I got this done and I wept. DOCTORS are GODS. 75% of my pain from 3 years was gone in 10 Minutes. What else can I say now. Teary-eyes.

[eacuwell]

Acupuncture vs. Dry Needling

Acupuncture and dry needling are often confused with each other. Both procedures involve the insertion of needles into the skin. However, there are some important differences between these two procedures.

Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine that has been used for over 3000 years. It is based on the belief that there is a life force energy, known as qi, that flows through the body. The goal of acupuncture is to restore balance to the body by correcting any imbalances in the flow of qi.
Dry needling is a relatively new procedure that has only been used for the past few decades. It is based on the Western medical model of anatomy and physiology. The goal of dry needling is to release muscle tension and trigger points. There are some similarities between acupuncture and dry needling.

However, there are also some important differences. Acupuncture is a holistic approach to medicine that looks at the whole person, not just the symptoms of the disease. Dry needling is a more targeted approach that focuses on specific muscle groups.

Learn about the various Acupuncture Treatment Modalities and what you can expect from a session with a Certified Doctor of Acupuncture by visiting
www.eacuwell.com/acupuncture

[Lbow]

Thanks for the explanation! I was curious what this was doing and why it works so well for me

[shanejohnston]

I have a much different experience with this than most people posting here. I find it to be quite painful but i also have anxiety with needle since i was a kid😂.

[Marilynschannel]

I did this today . I felt it more on buttocks. The needles on my lower back didn’t hurt at all . I did my PT training right after and when I had to laid down to do my training he placed a heat pad under neath . No bruises or anything

[veerabaig]

And how many sessions of functional dry needling should be given to the patient to alleviate pain?

[emma_nutella]

Needling feels so good honestly the release is the best

[seanhelm]

How deep in cm
Do you insert the needle

[MistyHarlan-zb]

Dose needle hurt I am suffering from back pain

[jmhjmhjmh]

My PT wants to do this for pelvic floor issues and I’m terrified. Don’t want needles in my taint. 😂

[Drforeverok]

Dry needling hurt so much today lol. I had some of the worst pain. On top of that I had an incredible stomach ache It felt like brutal pain

[veerabaig]

After inserting needles what you do afterwards give stimulation?

[richardbranson]

Can the needles themselves cause muscle spasm

[CFLSystema]

You can think of "dry needling" as a weak sampling of real acupuncture. May help a little but NOT a replacement for real acupuncture. His insertion skills would be consider similar to a first year acupuncture student's way of needling.

[bc]

I wish this worked for me. I have way too much scar tissue.