There are a few different treatments often used in physical therapy that involve injections of some kind, and they’re often compared to one another. Two great examples are dry needling vs. trigger point injection – what are these two methods, how do they differ, and which might be right for your needs?
At ImPackt Physical Therapy, we’re here to offer the very best dry needling, trigger point therapy, and related forms of injection therapy among our various physical therapy solutions for patients around Utah. Here are some basics on dry needling vs. trigger point injection, helping you determine which is ideal for your needs and how to integrate either one into a broader physical therapy plan.
Dry Needling Vs. Trigger Point Injection
Here are the basics of dry needling vs. trigger point injection:
Dry Needling
Dry needling refers to a technique that involves inserting thin needles into trigger points in the muscles, ligaments, or tendons to relieve pain and improve range of motion. The needle itself can be either solid or hollow, and it is inserted directly into the affected area with minimal discomfort. The needle may be inserted on its own, or it may stimulate electrical signals to the muscles.
The needle will be left inserted for some period of minutes, typically between 5 and 20 or so. It is common to have multiple sessions of dry needling before you see any results, but benefits can often be significant: Relaxed muscles, improved range of motion, and reduced pain are just some of the possible outcomes.
Trigger Point Injections
Also called trigger point therapy, trigger point injections are a different kind of injection that involves medication to help relax muscles and reduce inflammation. Typically containing lidocaine, corticosteroids, or anesthetics (or some combination thereof), a trigger point injection targets muscle knots or trigger points that may be causing pain or discomfort. These injections can be effective for chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, headaches and migraines, and myofascial pain syndrome.
Trigger point injections come with benefits such as immediate relief, minimal downtime, and relatively low risk. However, they may not be suitable for everyone and should only be administered by a trained healthcare professional.
Varied Based on Pain Type
One of the key ways to determine whether dry needling or trigger point injections will be ideal for you is to consider your pain type.
Dry needling tends to be relatively comprehensive, covering a variety of different kinds of chronic muscle pain. For instance, issues like chronic tension or long-term tendonitis can often respond well to dry needling. Additionally, it can also improve motion range and alleviate pain related to osteoarthritis.
Trigger point therapy, on the other hand, tends to be more narrowly focused on specific areas of pain, such as knots in the muscles or localized pain from muscle strains. It can also be effective for general muscle stiffness and tightness.
While both dry needling and trigger point injections have their benefits, it’s important to note that they are not one-size-fits-all solutions. The effectiveness of these treatments can vary depending on individual factors like the severity and type of pain, as well as underlying medical conditions.
How to Integrate Into Broader Physical Therapy
If your physical therapist determines that dry needling or trigger point therapy will be helpful for your overall physical therapy program, here are some of the ways they may work with you to integrate it in:
Dry Needling
In most cases, dry needling will be incorporated into your regular physical therapy sessions for some set period of time. Most patients require more than one session of dry needling, so your therapist may plan for a 6- or 8- week program.
Your therapist may also combine dry needling with other treatment techniques, such as stretching and strengthening exercises, to address any underlying muscle imbalances or weaknesses that may be contributing to your pain. These will often be carried out at the start of your session, after which dry needling will be done to complete the session.
Trigger Point Injection
Trigger point injection, on the other hand, can’t be done as frequently as dry needling. This is because it involves injecting a small amount of medication, such as lidocaine or corticosteroids, directly into the trigger point to relieve pain and muscle tightness. While this may provide more immediate relief compared to dry needling, it also carries some risks such as potential side effects from the medication and possible tissue damage if not done correctly.
Your doctor or physical therapist may recommend trigger point injections for chronic pain that has not responded well to other treatments, or for specific conditions such as fibromyalgia or tension headaches. As with any medical procedure, it is important to discuss the potential risks and benefits with your doctor before deciding on trigger point injection.
At ImPackt Physical Therapy, we offer dry needling and trigger point therapy among our numerous physical therapy treatments for patients around Utah. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment!
