Neck pain is one of those things that can sneak up on you. Maybe you slept in an awkward position, sat too long at your desk or experienced stress that led to tight muscles. Suddenly, turning your head feels like a chore, and the stiffness becomes a constant companion. Neck pain and stiffness are incredibly common, affecting up to 20% of adults. For some, the discomfort is mild and temporary, going away on its own. But for others, neck pain can become a chronic issue, impacting daily life and making even simple movements uncomfortable.
Neck pain can interfere with your ability to focus, work or even relax. It can cause headaches, limited mobility, and discomfort that radiates into your shoulders or arms. If left untreated, it can lead to more severe issues like muscle imbalances and poor posture.
Neck pain can stem from a variety of causes, including:
- Stress — Emotional or mental stress can lead to muscle tension, especially in the neck and shoulders. When you’re stressed, your body may respond by tightening these muscles, which can cause neck stiffness and pain over time.
- Poor posture — Slouching or holding your head in an awkward position for long periods can put a lot of stress on the neck muscles. Over time, this can lead to muscle strain and pain, sometimes referred to as “text neck” or “tech neck.”
- Arthritis — Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that can affect the joints in the neck. Over time, the cartilage that cushions the joints wears down, leading to inflammation, stiffness and pain. Arthritis in the neck can also cause bone spurs, which can further irritate nerves, making pain worse.
- Degenerative disc disease — As we age, the discs between our vertebrae lose water content and become less flexible, a condition called degenerative disc disease. This can cause the discs in the neck to shrink or deteriorate, which causes increased pressure on the spine and surrounding nerves, resulting in neck pain and stiffness.
- Nerve compression — Sometimes, neck pain is the result of pressure on the nerves in the neck. Conditions such as a herniated disc, bone spur or other spinal issue can compress the nerves, causing pain that radiates from the neck into the shoulders, arms or hands.
- Herniated disc — A herniated disc occurs when one of the discs in the spine ruptures or slips out of place, causing the inner gel-like substance to leak out. This can irritate nearby nerves, causing neck pain, numbness or weakness in the arms or hands.
If you’re dealing with neck pain or stiffness, you may have tried everything from stretching to over-the-counter pain relievers. One option that’s gaining popularity for treating this condition is dry needling.
What is dry needling?
Dry needling is a technique where a certified practitioner, like a physical therapist, manually inserts thin, sterile needles into tight or sore muscles, often called trigger points. These trigger points are areas in your muscles that feel tight or knotted, and they can be painful to touch or cause pain to radiate to other areas. It’s called “dry” because the needles don’t inject any substance into your body.
During dry needling, your physical therapist will insert the needle directly into these trigger points. This causes the muscle to contract and then relax, helping to release tension and improve blood flow. The needles are much thinner than those used for injections, so while you may feel a slight prick, most people find the procedure very tolerable.
Dry needling isn’t the same as acupuncture.
What are the benefits of dry needling for neck pain and stiffness?
Dry needling can be highly beneficial for those dealing with neck pain and stiffness. Some key benefits of dry needling for neck pain and stiffness include:
- Relieves muscle tension — Dry needling directly addresses muscle tension. When a needle is inserted into a tight muscle or trigger point, it stimulates the muscle to relax. This helps reduce tension in the neck muscles, which is a common cause of stiffness and pain.
- Improves range of motion — Neck stiffness often limits your ability to move your head comfortably. By releasing tight muscles, dry needling can help improve your range of motion.
- Reduces pain — Dry needling can provide pain relief by reducing muscle tightness and inflammation. It can also help calm overactive muscles, which can contribute to neck pain. This technique also promotes the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, which help to further reduce discomfort.
- Breaks up scar tissue and adhesions — If you’ve had a previous injury or surgery, scar tissue or adhesions may have formed in your muscles. These can cause tightness, pain and reduced mobility. Dry needling can help break up scar tissue, improving blood flow and allowing your muscles to move more freely.
- Promotes healing — The needle insertion creates a small “micro-trauma” in the muscle, which stimulates the body’s natural healing response. This brings more blood flow and nutrients to the area, speeding up the healing process.
- Targets trigger points — Sometimes, pain in your neck may actually be caused by trigger points elsewhere in your body, like your shoulders or upper back. Dry needling allows your physical therapist to target these areas, providing you with pain relief in your neck and throughout the affected muscles.
- Reduces headaches — Neck pain can go hand in hand with tension headaches. Dry needling can help release tight muscles in the neck and shoulders that may be contributing to these headaches, offering relief from both neck pain and headache symptoms.
If you’re dealing with neck pain that’s not improving with traditional methods, dry needling may help. However, it’s important to consult with a qualified practitioner to determine if it’s the best option for your specific condition.
Reclaim comfort from neck pain and stiffness with dry needling at REPAIR SI
At REPAIR SI, we understand how frustrating neck pain and stiffness can be. We believe in providing holistic, personalized care that addresses the root cause of your pain. Dry needling is just one of the many effective treatments we offer to help you find relief from neck pain and stiffness. If you’re looking for a comprehensive approach to your neck pain, our team is here to create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. We’re committed to helping you achieve your wellness goals and will be by your side every step of the way.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.