Dry Needling for Neck Pain and Headaches

Neck pain and chronic headaches are common ailments that people face in their daily lives. Several factors can cause these conditions, including poor posture, stress, and muscle tension. While many surgical options are available, dry needling has become a popular, convenient solution for treating neck pain and headaches. Curran physical therapy specialists have outlined the key benefits of dry needling to help patients decide if the procedure is right for them.

Correlation Between Headaches and Neck Pain

Neck pain and headaches are often related, as tension in neck muscles can aggravate the muscles and nerve endings along the head and face. In most cases, treating the underlying cause of neck pain will relieve chronic headaches.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. They stem from muscle tension in the neck and shoulders.

Migraines

Migraines can cause severe pain and other symptoms, such as sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting. They can stem from several factors, including stress, certain foods or drinks, hormonal changes, or sleep patterns.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches occur in cycles, typically lasting several weeks or months, and cause severe pain in one location on the head. Their cause is not fully understood, but experts have connected them to abnormalities in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that regulates sleep and other functions.

Benefits of Dry Needling For Neck Pain and Headaches

Dry needling is a technique that involves inserting a thin needle into a muscle to stimulate trigger points and alleviate pain. Dry needling near me can effectively treat neck pain and headaches, particularly headaches that stem from muscular stress or injury.

Pain Relief

Dry needling can provide immediate relief from headache pain caused by muscle tension in the neck. By rapidly inserting and removing the needle, Curran physical therapy specialists can relax the inflamed muscles and trigger points and alleviate pain.

Improved Range of Motion

When muscles are tense and tight, it results in a limited range of motion. Dry needling can help loosen neck muscles and improve flexibility, allowing you to move more freely and with less pain.

Faster Recovery

Dry needling can also help speed up the recovery process of traumatic injuries. Frequent stimulation of damaged muscles and surrounding tissue can activate the body’s natural healing abilities.

Consult With Curran Physical Therapy Specialists

Dry needling is a safe and minimally invasive technique our Curran physical therapy experts recommend for treating persistent neck pain and headaches. Our team is available to help patients manage their chronic pain and choose the best treatment options. Visit our website to learn more about our physical therapy treatments and procedures at Peak Physical Therapy.

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