Dry Needling

Can Dry Needling Treat Arthritis?

Breeze Academy September 6, 2022
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Arthritis is a condition that affects joints and causes pain for individuals suffering from the condition. It is caused by inflammation in the joints, aging, injury, obesity, repetitive movement or another health condition. In this blog, we detail how Dry Needling can be an effective treatment for Arthritis.

So, how can dry needling treat Arthritis? Dry Needling can relieve the symptoms of Arthritis for patients as it increases blood circulation around any affected joints. The needles used in the treatment are inserted in or around trigger points to alleviate pain, allowing muscles to relax and function normally.

Read on to find out more about how Dry Needling can treat Arthritis and how you can offer the treatment in your practice.

How Does Dry Needling Treat Arthritis?

Arthritis is a common condition that affects the joints, causing uncomfortable pain and inflammation. This condition affects people of all ages and is most commonly in the form of Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Individuals with a family history of Arthritis are more likely to develop the condition. Sometimes Arthritis can occur as a result of injury or other related conditions. 

Dry Needling is an effective treatment in relieving the symptoms of Arthritis as it increases blood circulation around the affected joints. Thin needles are inserted into or around trigger points, causing a twitch response in the muscles allowing them to contract and relax. We have more information about trigger points available in our recent blog

Some affected areas may be suffering from a lack of oxygen, so Dry Needling can restore the essential blood flow. If Arthritis occurs due to injury or damage, Dry Needling can help to restore the body’s function and reduce pain. 

How Painful is Dry Needling for Arthritis?

The treatment itself is considered pain-free and relatively comfortable, and side effects are usually minimal. Unfortunately, Dry Needling can cause feelings of soreness after treatment for up to 72 hours, however some patients may experience no soreness at all, just reduced pain. Personal tolerance levels and the area of the body being treated can contribute to the level of intensity and soreness after treatment. We have a helpful blog available detailing soreness after Dry Needling treatments, which you can find here

There are some people who should not have Dry Needling treatment as it could cause more damage or discomfort. Pregnant patients, patients who are afraid of needles and patients who have weakened immune systems or skin conditions should consider alternative treatments to avoid both mental and physical negative impact. Patients should always consult their doctor before trying Dry Needling for the first time to make sure the treatment is as safe as possible for their requirements.  

How Long Do the Effects of Dry Needling Last for Arthritis?

The positive effects of Dry Needling are expected to last for several days after a first appointment. However, the more appointments a client has, the greater the long term benefits. These results can vary from client to client depending on the severity of their condition and other health factors. There are some recommendations you can offer to your clients to support prolonged benefits of Dry Needling including:

  • Increasing their water intake
  • Partaking in gentle workout or stretching - we have strength and conditioning courses available to enhance your clients physical capabilities
  • Encourage normal physical activity throughout the day 
  • Massaging the affected area
  • Use of heat or ice to alleviate soreness in the affected areas
  • Continue to take any medication as prescribed by a healthcare professional

For more information on prolonging the positive effects of Dry Needling for your clients, check out our in depth blog.

What Dry Needling Training is Available for Arthritis?

As a healthcare professional, you must complete additional training to gain the necessary skills required to practice Dry Needling. At Breeze Academy, we offer Acupuncture and Dry Needling courses for all skill levels that count towards your required CPD hours..

The entry requirements for our beginner Acupuncture and Dry Needling course offer different routes depending on which stage of your healthcare profession you are at. You would benefit from this course if you are looking to gain more skills and knowledge, offer more treatment options for new and existing clients or expand your career outside of your current specialist areas. 

If you already have basic knowledge and skills in Dry Needling or have completed our beginner course, you can move onto our Advanced Dry Needling Update course where you will learn about the trigger point concept and a wide range of needling skills across the trunk, pelvis, upper and lower limbs. This is ideal if you want to offer Dry Needling for patients suffering from Arthritis.

Additionally, we also offer several advanced Acupuncture courses so you can develop your newly gained skills further. You can find a full list of our Acupuncture and Dry Needling courses here

Final Thoughts

Dry Needling is an effective treatment for painful conditions such as Arthritis, but to offer this in your practice, you must have completed relevant training. Breeze Academy has a wide range of CPD courses available that provide all of the essential knowledge and skills required to become a qualified Dry Needling Practitioner. Find out more about our Acupuncture and Dry Needling courses or contact a member of our team to find the right course for you. 

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