Wellness

[Mom2Dogs]

I am on a fact finding mission....has anyone had this procedure done...DRY NEEDLING?

I am wondering if it would help my husband with his hip pain.

Currently he is on steroids for a short time...waiting for another hip injection.

I am just really curious about dry needling and will not mention it to him if it is something that will not offer relief.  Is this procedure something that needs to be done often?  

I have read a bit about it on the internet but looking for someone that has exprienced it and the results.

Thanks

[Lisa now in AZ]

I have had chronic back pain for over 20 years and no dr could find a reason. At least they beleived me, but just prescribed pain pills. My last PA was determined to find the cause and he studied an x-ray and found something no dr., not even the pain specialists, saw. He recommended dry needling, which can only be done by a specialist - mine is the owner of a local PT and Pain clinic. The results were incredible. His goal was to have me pain-free and completely off the pain meds in 3 months. It has been longer than that, but I am down to 2 pills a day for my back, as well as other pains, and I only see him every 3 weeks now. Last week, as I mentioned some other areas where arthritis was hurting, he added some needles in my lower back and upper neck. I will never stop going!

I hope that helps, and good luck to your husband.

[Lisa now in AZ]

I can't edit my respopnse, so here is more info. I WAS taking pain pills every 4 hours, around the clock, which means 6 a day. That's a LOT! So, 1-2 to me is wonderful! My PT said that if the pain level is at 10% or less, I should just manage it without meds. I feel like Elaine on Seinfeld when she evaluated whether a guy was "sponge worthy." I think about every pain to determine if it is pill worthy. And, when it gets this low, it is easy to just refocus on something else.

[frenchie]

Is this the new term for accupuncture? New to me.

[Mom2Dogs]

@Lisa now in AZ    Thank you so much for the reply..I am glad you are getting pain relief.   I always tend to think outside the box, my husband does not.

DH is 84 rarely sick or have any health issues...he does have A Fib but that is it...his weight is in check and takes no meds except for the blood thinner for the Afib..so being laid up with pain is new to him.

Did the procedure hurt, tingle, etc?

Was it covered under insurance...My husband is on medicare, so I guess I would need to check.

His ortho doctor said he is not a hip replacement candidate at this time, although currently his quality of life is not good...can barely walk. 

There is a PT clinic in our small town that does the procedure, I guess I should give them a call and have a conersation with them.

Sorry for the 20 questions but I am really intersted in looking into this for him.  If he is in such pain I don't know why the ortho doctor is against talking about hip replacement.

[Effie54]

@Mom2Dogs  I've had it. I fell on the ice a few years ago and injured my shoulder. After a lot of physical therapy and no relief, I had dry needling. Yeow! It was very painful. I was able to go through it three times before I gave up. It helped a little though. 

[Mom2Dogs]

@Effie54   Sorry it was painful...not sure I will mention that to my husband, if willing he can speak with the therapist...thanks.

[bmorechick]

@Mom2Dogs   About two years ago, I had pain and numbness in both hands and wrists. Diagnosed with carpel tunnel, which I already pretty much figured.  Went to PT sessions few times a week (hand specialist).  They recommended an electromyography (EMG) for a more accurate diagnosis and severity.  It involved inserting needles attached to an electrode that would deliver like a stun to the area.  Was it painful...not really but sure it was kinda uncomfortable.  The therapist and I yakked during the whole thing, so not too bad.  I had no intentions of initiating surgery for many reasons, unless I couldn't use my hands.  

The end result - the EMG apparently acted like dry needling and that one session, coupled with hand PT put those issues to rest. Took about 3 weeks when I noticed that all disappeared. The therapist did tell me sometimes it does act like dry needling.  Today, no pain, weakness or numbness and I lift 10 pound free weights for bicep curls, etc. with no issues.  No young chick here - I'm 69.

[Mom2Dogs]

@frenchie   Similar, I read about it but cannot post a link

[jlkz]

@Mom2Dogs 

Your husband needs to find out exactly why the ortho doctor is against hip replacement: there may be a very good reason for his opinion.  Then, get a second opinion.

It may be a good time to start accompanying spouse to these doctor appointments.....missing key information could lead to life-altering decisions, be it medications or treatments.

The patient usually has a lot of questions, thoughts, ideas, misinformation in mind that they can miss something important.  That is why having one person takes notes and / or go over a checklist of questions or clarifications is important....esp. with today's medications and side effects or contraindications.