What to Expect at Your First Dry Needling Session

Congratulations! You’ve found FIXXED and you’re thinking about doing Dry Needling (DN). DN is inserting a thin sterile needle into the affected muscle’s trigger points for relief. This method can be very effective. If you have muscle tightness, trigger points, or chronic tension, this may be the right tool for you. Here’s what to expect from a session with us: 

Step 1: Initial Evaluation 

You’ll go through a detailed assessment with one of our amazing clinicians. We will delve into what hurts, when, how, and what relieves or worsens the pain. You can expect a posture or movement screen, palpation to find your trouble spots, and muscle testing as part of a functional assessment. Our intake/informed consent form will ask about any bleeding disorders, medications, previous injuries, autoimmune disorders, etc. Then, you will discuss with your clinician overall goals you are expecting or working towards. 

Step 2: The Treatment 

Your clinician will go over the overview and benefits of DN. Based on your evaluation, the clinician will locate the specific trigger points where you’ve felt tightness or pain. Once the skin is sanitized, the needle will prick the skin, and it will be inserted into the muscle where a twitch or a deep ache will be felt— this is often the muscle resetting itself and releasing tension. Some clients feel an immediate “loosening” of the muscles, others sometimes feel soreness or an ache for a few hours before feeling full relief. Sometimes other treatments can be done to maximize effects like stretching, graston, or cupping. (Your clinician will make that determination based on results post needling.) 

Step 3: Post-Needling and Recovery 

Mild soreness or bruising at needle sites is common and expected. You may be recommended light movement/stretching, hydration and avoid heavy lifting or intense training for a day or two to recover. However, exercising after needling does not pose any limitations unless limited by soreness. Because dry needling is a tool and not its own cure, corrective exercises or mobility work can help reduce soreness but re-introduce helpful movements to treat underlying issues. Results depend on the person and the persistence of the chronic tightness, but some results can include reduced pain, improved flexibility, and increased range of motion. DN may require multiple sessions paired with rehab or maintenance work to keep results. 

Dry needling is a safe and effective tool to target muscle tightness. Your clinician will be able to evaluate and share the underlying cause of the muscular pain and tightness and pair this treatment with other manual therapies and rehab/corrective exercise treatment plan.