Dry Needling Lower Back Pain: Relief for Chronic and Acute Back Pain
Dry needling is a relatively new and safe modality to help with pain. Lower back pain can be a result of tight muscles, decreased use, or poor coordination throughout the back. Dry needling for lower back pain gets to those muscles by physically stimulating them with a small needle. This blog will go over what dry needling is, how it works, and why it may be the answer to your chronic or acute lower back pain.
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling uses a small filament needle that penetrates the skin and goes directly into the muscle. It is a holistic modality with no medication or injection which allows us to use a much smaller and smoother needle. Dry needling targets trigger points within a muscle that may be causing pain, irritation, or decreased blood flow. We stimulate the muscle using the motion of the needle or mild electrical stimulation.
Dry needling can work by mechanically relieving trigger points, allowing more space for nerves and nerve movement within a muscle, and increasing blood flow to the location to allow the body’s natural healing processes to begin..
What Causes Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain is present in over 80% of adults at some point in their life.
Acute (new or sudden) low back pain often occurs due to a strain in the muscles around the lower back. Think of this like a “pulled muscle” in your back.
This can be due to: lifting, coughing, sneezing, sudden movements, or sometimes something as simple as sleeping wrong.
This creates a spike in inflammation, tightness, and pain
The goal here is improving mobility early on so it heals quickly and your back pain doesn’t limit you long-term.
Chronic low back pain occurs from an acute injury that goes unresolved.
This can be due to:
Stress
Avoiding certain back movements
Lack of mobility in the back
Weakness or muscle imbalances
Pregnancy or postpartum changes
Sedentary lifestyle
The goal here is to slowly load unused muscles to create a resilient back
How Does Dry Needling Help Lower Back Pain?
A muscle reset to the area that may be creating the pain into the lower back
Brings new blood flow to the area
Increases the speed of the healing process
Relaxes the muscles that have been tight and guarded
Improves pain sensitivity in the back
Improves nerve mobility
Decreases nerve irritation
Conditions That May Benefit From Dry Needling
Chronic low back pain
Back pain after activity
Back pain with twisting movements
Back pain with heavy lifting
Lower back tightness
SI Joint pain or dysfunction
Postpartum low back or postpartum SI Joint pain
Hip tightness
What Does Dry Needling for Lower Back Pain Feel Like?
A quick tap of pressure when the needle is placed
You may feel a twitch of the muscles, which is normal and expected!
We use electrical stimulation, which feels like a pulsing or twitching of the muscle repeatedly.
You may feel sore afterward, as if you just had a good workout.
Is Dry Needling Safe?
Absolutely! Dry needling is very safe if performed by a skilled provider with continued dry needling certification. Risks are rare, but possible, and will be discussed before treatment. The most common risk is mild bruising or soreness around the needling site. We would not recommend any kind of dry needling (or many manual modalities) if you have a poorly controlled bleeding disorder.
Dry Needling is Part of the Solution
Although we love dry needling for pain control and tissue healing, research shows exercise along with dry needling is best practice for relief from lower back pain. Our job at Revive Rehab is to address the other areas that could be contributing to your back pain and develop an exercise program that fits your needs and lifestyle.
When Should You Consider Dry Needling for Lower Back Pain?
If pain is stopping an activity that you need or love to do
If you’re looking for a holistic approach to lower back pain management
If you have muscle tension that never seems to resolve
If stretching doesn’t seem to give long-term relief
How Physical Therapy Can Help
A dry needling PT can assess:
Core strength and coordination
Hip mobility and strength
Spine mobility
Nerve movement and sensitivity
Treatment May Include:
Dry needling of the lower back or hip muscles
Myofascial release around the painful areas
Muscle relaxation techniques
Nerve mobilization techniques
Deep core strengthening exercises
Hip and core strengthening
A comprehensive exercise program
If you’re wondering if “dry needling lower back pain” is for you, you are not alone!
Dry needling in physical therapy can help you get back to the things you love without lower back pain stopping you.
Revive Rehab in Columbia, Missouri, is a physical therapy practice that specializes in dry needling for lower back pain.
If you are in the Columbia, Jefferson City, Fulton, Boonville, or mid-Missouri area, we’d love to work with you! Click here to learn more about our in-person services.
We offer hour-long, one-on-one, individualized appointments with a physical therapist to get to the root cause of your concerns. We provide a holistic approach for your care. Click the link below if you’d like to book an appointment with us, we’d love to help you on your healing journey!
Written by: Dr. Sarah Miller, PT, DPT
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