Dry needling is one of the types of acupuncture that helps improve blood flow, relax the muscles, reduce inflammation, and more. Athletes around the world also use this method to relax their stiff muscles. It is commonly used in treating sciatica which is a nerve pain that arises due to irritation or compression in the sciatic nerve. It is also the longest nerve in the body, but how does dry needling cure the sciatica? We will study this in detail in the blog along with dry needling benefits. Let’s first start with what dry needling is. 

What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a type of physical therapy where professionals insert dry needles that do not contain any medications into the body parts known as myofascial trigger points. These trigger points are the tight areas that restrict blood flow. These areas form due to unusual movement or injury. Dry needling such areas can release them and help in increasing blood flow and relieving pain. 

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a type of pain that happens due to irritation or compression in the sciatic nerve. The reasons behind these compressions or irritation are often lumbar disc herniation, gluteal pain, spinal stenosis in the piriformis muscle, and herniation combined with bone spurs. This pain radiates down the whole leg. Let’s now study its symptoms and causes. 

Symptoms of Sciatica

1. Sharp pain or burning from the lower back to the leg 
2. Numbness in leg
3. Tingling in foot
4. Muscle weakness
5. Decreased mobility

Causes of Sciatica

1. Herniated Disc
2. Muscle Spasm
3. Poor Posture
4. Long Periods of Sitting
5. Spinal Stenosis

What is Dry Needling for Sciatica?

Dry needling is very important to cure sciatica. It helps in loosening the tight muscles around the sciatic nerve that restrict the blood flow and cause sharp pain or burning sensation that travels down the whole leg. Therapists insert dry needles in the trigger points to loosen the muscles and decompress the sciatic nerve. Once the muscles are released the blood flow gets back to normal relieving the pain. It also improves the mobility that was restricted due to sciatica.  

Does Dry Needling Help Sciatica?

Yes, dry needling does help in curing sciatica. It is proven to be really beneficial to the patient suffering from sciatic nerve pain. Dry needling improves muscle functionality which releases the tightened muscles decompressing the sciatic nerve and improving the blood flow. Let’s study some of the dry needling benefits for sciatica. 

1. Pain Relief

Dry needling nerve pain helps in reducing it. It addresses the tight muscles that are compressing or irritating the sciatic nerve restricting the blood flow. This method targets fiber inhibition mechanisms to reduce the discomfort. 

2. Increased Blood Flow

When muscles around the sciatic nerve get stiff they compress the nerve and decrease the blood flow. Inserting dry needles in the trigger points helps in improving the blood circulation delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles speeding up the healing process. 

3. Improve Muscle Function

You know that stiff muscles restrict movements whereas the relaxed muscles enhance your muscle functionality. Dry needling stimulates fiber terminals and arborizations which relaxes the trigger points allowing the muscles around the sciatic nerve to relax and reduce pain.

4. Enhanced Rehabilitation

You can recover from sciatica with the help of other physical therapies too. However, dry-needling physical therapy is considered the best choice when it comes to sciatica. It enhances your rehabilitation process by relaxing muscles, improving blood circulation, and more. 

Conclusion

Dry needling has been the game changer when it comes to recovering the muscles. It has so many benefits. Especially in the case of sciatica. Dry needling the trigger points in the muscles around the sciatic nerves can help them decompress and reduce irritation. For the best results, you must consult dry-needling experts. Now, the question arises where to find one? Town Physical Therapy is the answer. At Town PT, we have experts in dry needling who will give the best results in a much safer way. 

We are not limited to dry needling; we also provide a wide range of therapies, including physical therapy services, occupational therapy, sports physical therapy, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and shockwave therapy. Town PT has physical therapy centers in Paramus, Emerson, Bergenfield, Clifton, and Maywood. If you live in NJ, you can visit the nearest town PT center to meet your requirements. Or you can contact us through our helpline number or email.