MercyOne Newton offers dry needling to treat muscle pain, dysfunction

MercyOne Newton Medical Center is excited to offer an innovative new treatment for patients struggling with weak, tight or otherwise dysfunctional muscles.

Earlier this year, physical therapist Robyn Friedman underwent training to become a certified Functional Dry Needling Practitioner. Dry needling is a procedure using a thin, non-hollow needle to decrease activity of underlying trigger points. This procedure addresses muscle and connective tissue tightness, and helps to relieve pain. Depending on the situation, mild electrical charge may be added to boost the effectiveness.

“You’re affecting the nervous system by where you’re placing the needle,” Friedman said. “This creates changes at the biochemical level, essentially ‘remapping’ the central nervous system, and helping bring the patient back to normal function in the area being treated.”

The needle used for the procedure is much smaller than those used for injections or blood draws. This type of tiny, monofilament needle is more comfortable for the patient, as it separates the skin when inserted, rather than taking out a plug of tissue. Those who have experienced dry needling indicate feeling little to no pain during the process.

While the type of needle is the same as acupuncturists use, Friedman stresses that the two therapies are significantly different. “The goal of the treatment is different,” she said. “Acupuncture is an ancient method based on the idea of balancing energy resources throughout the body. Dry needling is a research-supported medical intervention intended to treat a medical diagnosis that includes muscle dysfunction and its associated pain.”

Friedman is currently a Level I practitioner, meaning she can treat all muscles of the arms and legs, upper neck muscles and certain places in the spine. She has worked on fellow therapists, and she had multiple treatments herself during her training. “It was amazing how relaxing it was. I slept really well that night.”

Another factor Friedman wants potential patients to know is that dry needling is not a stand-alone therapy. Rather, it is “another tool in the toolbox” to accompany traditional physical therapy. “Dry needling is most effective when you add stretching or strengthening exercises with it. Some patients may need dry needling only once for it to be effective. Others might require four to six sessions for full benefit.”

Not everyone is an appropriate candidate for dry needling. Those for whom it is not indicated are people with an aversion to needles, women in the first trimester of pregnancy, and those with a compromised immune system. Complications are uncommon, and are usually mild when they occur, such as needle insertion discomfort, muscle soreness, and bruising. Risk of infection is rare, as Friedman wears gloves and sterilizes with hand sanitizer before touching the needle, applies rubbing alcohol to the body area to be treated, and utilizes one-time-use needles that are safely disposed of after treatment.

When a patient is referred to Friedman for muscle tightness or weakness, often with accompanying pain, she will assess if dry needling is a suitable add-on for their particular treatment plan.

“This service has been growing in popularity in the United States,” Friedman said. “We’re excited to be able to offer it to our community right here at MercyOne Newton.”

To learn more, call the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation department at MercyOne Newton at 641-791-4380.