Dry Needling

Dry needling is a minimally invasive treatment that can help relieve musculoskeletal pain caused by tight knots of muscle (trigger points). At Serenity Osteopathic, LLC, in Satellite Beach, Florida, board-certified osteopathic neuromusculoskeletal doctor Tiffany Noblitt, DO, regularly administers dry needling to people experiencing neck and back pain. She often combines the treatment with trigger point injections to enhance its effects. To see if you can benefit, make an appointment today by calling the office or booking online.

What is dry needling?

Dry needling is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure used to treat musculoskeletal pain caused by trigger points, tight knots of muscle. It can also support mobility and make it easier to exercise and perform daily tasks.

During treatment, Dr. Noblitt inserts sharp, thin needles into strategic areas of your skin. The needles penetrate specific trigger points, easing stiffness, increasing circulation, and reducing localized and referred pain. 

What conditions can dry needling treat?

Dr. Noblitt uses dry needling to treat several types of pain, as well as musculoskeletal conditions, including:

• Low back pain
• Thoracic spine pain
• Neck pain
• Hip pain
• Postsurgical pain
• Post-traumatic pain
• Pelvic pain
• Whiplash
• Tendonitis
• Disc issues, such as degenerative disc disease and herniated discs

Dry needling can also be used to help manage sports injuries. Can anyone undergo dry needling?

Dry needling is considered safe and typically well-tolerated, but it isn’t right for everyone. 

For example, Dr. Noblitt typically doesn’t recommend dry needling for children younger than 12 because it’s somewhat painful. It’s also not recommended for pregnant people or those who are afraid of needles. Certain medications, like blood thinners, can also increase your risk of complications, so be sure to let Dr. Noblitt know about any prescriptions you take. 

What happens during dry needling treatment?

Dry needling treatment typically takes 60 to 90 minutes.

On the day of your appointment, you lie down on an exam table, and Dr. Noblitt cleans and sterilizes your skin. She then finds your trigger points and places a needle inside a guide tube over them. The guide tube helps her accurately position the needle with one hand.

There are two types of dry needling:

Superficial

During superficial dry needling, Dr. Noblitt inserts each needle five to 10 millimeters into your skin, just above each trigger point.

Deep

During deep dry needling, Dr. Noblitt places the needles deep into your muscle tissue, penetrating your trigger points.

After she inserts the needles, they stay in place for several seconds or minutes. The length of time each needle stays put depends on your symptoms and underlying cause. Dr. Noblitt may also administer trigger point injections to enhance the pain relief.

To see if you’re a candidate for dry needling, make an appointment at Serenity Osteopathic, LLC, today by calling the office or using the online booking feature.