r/DryNeedling

I have had DRY NEEDLING done on myself by several different PTs over the last five years, several times a month. Getting really really tired of having to drive 45 minutes there and back plus pay $120. The area that I need needled is the right upper neck near the suboccipitals. My muscle spasms and will not release with pressure/massage. Dry needling does it every time. My physical therapist told me if there is a bony backdrop it is generally safe in that area and mainly it’s just muscle back in that area. If you stay clear of the spine and the front of the neck, is the upper right suboccipital area safe to needle and does anyone have advice for how to do this? Size of needle, depth, and angle? Thanks!

I recently had my first dry needling treatment on my upper traps and had absolutely no pain.

I asked my physio after the first side was done if that was supposed to be painful, and he said "oh yeah" noting I didn't even blink so I must have a different relationship to pain than most.

Now of course, in true adhd fashion, I'm fixated.

How often do people not feel pain during dry needling?

And I truly mean no pain, and actually no feeling as all - and now I'm trying to remember the last time I felt something that I would classify as pain outside of child birth.

How would you wait to dry needle after an acute injury? 24-48 hrs?

Example: upper trap strain