Living with constant pain can feel like a never-ending battle. Many people try countless treatments—some helpful, some not—before finding lasting relief. One innovative treatment that can help is dry needling for chronic pain. At Ability Physiotherapy & Wellness, we’ve seen firsthand how it can help people regain comfort, movement, and control over their lives–such as Anna, a recent patient of ours.
Struggling with Chronic Pain: Anna’s Story
Anna (not her real name) came to Ability Physiotherapy & Wellness after dealing with persistent low back pain for the last couple of years. Her discomfort started after a minor car accident but worsened over time. It didn’t help that she had an office job and spent long hours at her desk, often with poor posture.
The Impact of Chronic Pain
By the time Anna visited us, her pain had become a daily struggle and left her feeling exhausted. She couldn’t sleep through the night without waking up in discomfort. She had trouble lifting groceries, playing with her kids, and performing simple household tasks.
She had also tried several treatments in her quest for pain relief. Over-the-counter pain medications only offered temporary relief, and the stretches she tried at home provided little benefit. Frustrated and discouraged, Anna turned to Ability Physiotherapy & Wellness for a fresh perspective.
A Personalized, Hands-On Approach To Care
At Anna’s first visit, our physiotherapist took time to fully assess her symptoms, including taking a full health history and conducting simple movement screens. Eventually, we determined that she had developed myofascial pain syndrome, a chronic condition that causes tight, sensitive trigger points in the myofascia, the connective tissue that wraps around the muscles.
We developed a comprehensive treatment plan (opens in a new tab) that blended several different therapeutic techniques focused on addressing the root of her pain:
- Manual therapy, including myofascial release
- Therapeutic exercises
- Postural training
- Dry needling (opens in a new tab) for chronic pain
Of all these techniques, Anna was least familiar with dry needling–but it also wound up playing a major role in her treatment.
Exploring Dry Needling
Dry needling uses thin, sterile needles inserted into specific muscle trigger points to relieve tension and improve function. It’s not acupuncture (which is based on traditional Chinese medicine) but rather a technique grounded in modern science.
During Anna’s dry needling sessions, our physiotherapists identified tight, painful knots in her myofascia, called trigger points. We then inserted a very thin needle directly into the trigger point, causing a twitch response that released tension and improved blood flow.
Anna was surprised to find that dry needling helped her find immediate pain relief. However, dry needling offers some additional benefits, such as improving her mobility and helping her restore function.
Real Results: Anna’s Progress with Comprehensive Approach
After just a few sessions, Anna noticed less stiffness and more energy. She could sleep better and felt hopeful for the first time in years. Her pain flare-ups decreased, and she could return to everyday activities, such as playing with her kid and completing household chores.
Anna’s treatment program lasted six weeks. By the end, her pain levels had decreased significantly, and she had the tools she needed to stay active and manage any occasional discomfort.
Helping Patients Reclaim Their Life
If persistent pain has been holding you back, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to push through it without support. At Ability Physiotherapy & Wellness, our team creates customized care plans that may include dry needling for chronic pain, designed to help you feel and move better.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule an appointment at our Calgary, AB clinic today.
