Category: Low Back Pain

What Is Dry Needling?

11/9/2023

Dry needling is a technique utilized by physical therapists, chiropractors, physicians, and other healthcare professionals to decrease pain and improve movement patterns. Read on to learn more about dry needling.

1. What is dry needling?

During dry needling, a solid filiform needle is used to penetrate skin and underlying tissues without injecting any substances. The needles used are very thin - much thinner than those used when you get a vaccine. The needles are solid with a rounded tip, so they slide through the skin and around structures in your body, rather than cutting through structures. Needles may be inserted into specific irritated muscles, or into segments around the spine that innervate certain muscles.

2. Is it acupuncture?
Although dry needling may sound a lot like acupuncture, the only real similarity is the tool (needle) used. During acupuncture, needles are applied along specific acupoints and meridians in the body to balance forces that produce the body’s Qi. During dry needling, needles are applied to specific tissues causing neural or muscular dysfunction and are based on the clinician’s assessment and the client’s movement dysfunctions. Training for acupuncture and dry needling is separate, although some healthcare providers may practice both acupuncture and dry needling.

3. What should I expect during dry needling?
If a clinician decides that dry needling may be a good technique to assist in your healing process, they will bring it up and discuss any possible risks involved. The exact techniques used will differ depending on your provider and their assessment, but can involve anywhere from one to ten or more needles, and may involve different techniques such as pistoning or use of electrical stimulation. Dry needling is sometimes painless since the needles are so small, but sometimes can feel like a deep, cramping sensation. You may also experience twitches in the muscle if it’s irritated.

4. What should I do after?
After a dry needling session, you may experience some soreness, as if you just did a really tough workout, which may last 1-2 days. The best thing to do to help with soreness is to keep your body moving! You may also use ice or heat if it feels good. A small percentage of people may notice a bruise after dry needling, but oftentimes, you won’t even be able to see where the needle was.

Dry needling is a great technique that can help with a variety of conditions and movement dysfunctions. If you are interested in learning more, or are currently dealing with a nagging pain or injury, click HERE to schedule a 1:1 visit with a Doctor of Physical Therapy to get you back to living and moving pain-free!

Thanks for reading!
Dr. Chrissy PT

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I Went to Urgent Care… What’s Next?

9/14/2023

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Have you recently experienced an injury such as an ankle sprain, shoulder injury, or low back strain? Oftentimes, athletes will head to urgent care after a musculoskeletal injury to get care, only to be told “rest, ice, elevate, and take ibuprofen - it’ll get better in a few weeks” and are shown the door. While instructions like “R.I.C.E.” (rest, ice, compression, elevation) can be helpful short-term, they don’t get you back to functional activities or competitive sports.

Here are steps you can take following an injury to get you back to activity:

Seek out care if necessary - if the injury is significant, such as a possible fracture, severe bruising or swelling, inability to bear weight through the affected area, numbness or tingling, or a new physical deformity, seek out care at an urgent care clinic or emergency room. Urgent care clinics and emergency rooms are often equipped with imaging technology, so they can rule out a more severe injury such as a fracture or complete ligament tear.
Relative rest - after ruling out a significant injury, you may follow R.I.C.E protocols for a day or 2, which include resting the injured area and icing for 20-30 minutes at a time a few times per day (if possible, while elevating and using compression on the injured area). Depending on symptoms, you may also take medication such as ibuprofen as instructed by a physician or as instructed on the medication bottle.
Keep it moving - depending on the severity of your injury, you may start gentle movement immediately, or if it’s really painful or swollen, you may wait a few days for it to calm down. What we frequently see as clinicians is that after an injury, athletes will put on a brace or avoid moving an injured area for weeks at a time because it’s uncomfortable to move or put weight through. Unfortunately, if we put on a brace or avoid movement altogether, the injured area can get really stiff and sometimes can be even more painful. If a fracture or other significant injury has been ruled out, gentle movement can include active range of motion at the injured area and partial to full weight-bearing. For example, if you recently suffered an ankle sprain, some early exercises to include are ankle circles or drawing the alphabet with your foot, which encourages movement in multiple directions, and shifting some of your weight from your non-injured side to the injured side to get yourself used to putting more weight through that foot.
Seek out additional care - if you enjoy participating in active recreational hobbies or competitive sports, you would likely benefit from individualized feedback and progressions. You probably spent months, if not years, getting yourself to the point where you could perform at that level, and a physical therapist will know the best ways to get you back to that level. As physical therapists, we are body and movement experts who take pride in helping people get back to the activities they love.

If you have recently suffered an injury, have yet to return to the level you performed at before an injury, or would like to level-up your performance and optimize your movement, click HERE to schedule a 1:1 visit with a Doctor of Physical Therapy to get back to your favorite activities!

Thanks for reading!
Dr. Chrissy, PT, DPT

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Low Back Pain Solutions in 5 Steps

7/4/2023

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Low Back Pain Solutions in 5 Steps

Low back pain is the most common type of pain we deal with as humans. So there's a good chance you either are dealing with low back pain, or have dealt with low back pain. If you have not dealt with low back pain, go buy yourself a lottery ticket. Below are five steps to prevent and help recover from low back pain. You're welcome:

1. Go for a dang walk.
Gentle movement is one of THE BEST things you can do to calm the back quickly. Standing is less workload on the back than sitting. Walking is less workload on the back than standing. Especially if you have a sedentary job or a long commute, gentle movement like walking is one of the best things you can do, especially early on.

2. Sleep!
Most adults should aim for at least 7 hours of good quality uninterrupted sleep per night. Keep the room as dark as possible– you should not be able to see your hand at night. Keep the room cool, about 65 to 68°F. White noise, like a fan, can be helpful. No screen time an hour before bed.

3. Hydrate.
Aim for at least half your body weight in ounces of water per day. If you are 150 lbs, this is just shy of 2.5 liters. Keep in mind this is to maintain equilibrium. If it is super hot or you are exercising a lot, drink more water than this.

4. Manage stress.
What brings you joy? Do you do at least a little bit of this every day? If you know it is a particularly stressful time– if you are short-staffed at work or are the caregiver for a loved one, maybe don't try to PR this week in the gym.

5. Nutrition
Eat yo’ veggies, lean protein, healthy fats, and healthy carbs. Eat the rainbow; there should be lots of color on your plate. Your muscles need protein to fuel and recover. Your brain needs fats like olive oil and avocado. Fats also help hormone regulation and control inflammation. Healthy carbs are vital to fuel performance, especially during competition or race day.

Implement the above, and share with a friend or loved one who has a back. These are simple, yet very impactful ways to: optimize your health, prevent low back pain, and also recover from low back pain more quickly.

If low back pain is still limiting your squats, running, or lifting your little one, click HERE and we can chat to help get you back to CRUSHING your goals pain-free and for the long-term!

Thanks for reading,

Dr. Arlianne, PT, DPT

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What Is Dry Needling?

I Went to Urgent Care… What’s Next?

Low Back Pain Solutions in 5 Steps

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