Dry needling experiences?

i had some acupuncture which sounds similar - just needles tapped into pressure points. For me, I had a massively inflamed achilles tendon and the acupuncture just formed part of the treatment. I can't point to that bit being a magic bullet cure, but on the other hand neither can I say it had an adverse effects

Had acupuncture a few years back for problems with my ITB affecting my knee, hip and back.

A quick demonstration of the depth of manipulation needed to release the trigger points indicated needles were less painful.

Really skinny needles, didn't feel them going in, bit of a jolt when the trigger point was found, but really felt the release.

It worked for me, would happily do it again

Big fan of it. Had it for similar to you op. Worked a treat. Definitely recommend it.

It really helped with my sciatica. Not painful at all. You know that fizzy popping candy? It felt a bit like that, but in the muscles.

Had it a couple of times when I had horrendous lower back spasms. Worked well,needles didnt hurt, but I really didn't enjoy the weird sensations it gave meat the time.

Never had it for pyriformis issues, I have them, but just have some stretches that ease it for me.

I had it done on my Achilles tendon to get rid of scar tissue, oedemas etc in the tendon after I ruptured quite a bit of it ( twice) but not totally.

It was brilliant - for me. Over night my Achilles went back to being only about 1.5x normal thickness rather than 3x.
And it seems to have held up ever since.

Had it a few times, shoulder and back. Back ones were fine, but on two occasions, the shoulder trigger point caused me to come out in a clod sweat and on one I chucked up. Obviously found the 'spot'. Back ones were fine and used along side the usual physio treatment.

I had it on my leg to sort out an ITB issue. It worked, but damn it was painful.

I've had acupuncture and dry needling for a shoulder problem after surgery.
Both seemed to get good results initially but ultimately it seemed to stop working on me.
I think I have some permanent nerve damage which will never get better.

Also had acupuncture for tennis elbow.
That got shot of a year long problem in one session.

The main difference between dry needling and acupuncture seems to be where they put the needles.
Dry needling goes more around and in the problem area.
Acupuncture seems to focus on other areas. I had needles in my leg and feet for the shoulder pain.

I found it quite a pleasant sensation and in no way painful.

You know that fizzy popping candy? It felt a bit like that, but in the muscles.

Great description

I had some from my piriformis about 10 years ago. it was so tight it wouldn't release or ease up with normal manipulation.

It was very effective.

Really skinny needles, didn’t feel them going in, bit of a jolt when the trigger point was found, but really felt the release.

It worked for me, would happily do it again

This my experience. Although the feeling was more like an intermittent voltage being applied.

Had it for tennis elbow was a cure for me go for a session every 12 months or so.

I've had IMS multiple times and, in fact, seeing physio tomorrow for some more.

Note that acupuncture and IMS are different treatment types. Anyway, I've found IMS to be pretty effective for various lower back, neck and shoulder aliments.

Contrary to some of the above posters though, I'll point out it can be VERY painful though pain is fairly brief.

My physio was telling me that some muscle spasms (usually in lower back) can be so intense that they bend the needles.

Maybe it's some misplaced macho bullshit but I don't feel as though it works properly unless I get a big jolt to release the tight muscles!

First sesh today and it wasn't painful so much as deeply uncomfortable - but it passed quick enough, hip flexor and piriformis. Physio is a fellow Everton fan but we agreed not to talk about it - contemplating our first eleven with seven needles in your backside is a kink too far.

See how it goes, hopefully will release some tightness around the lower back.

I'd struggle to describe it as actual pain, but certainly the first time I had it done I had to stop myself getting off the table.

It was more like that unbearable sensation you get when you have a dead leg or arm coming back but you can't touch anything because it 'jangles' unbearably.

Doesn't last for long though - a minute or two as everything eases up.

Go for it! It will hit muscles the physios thumbs etc cannot get into. Perfect for thighs, back muscles and no doubt glutes! Had a session on my jaw too which worked a treat.