Pain-Free Movement Starts Here: The Benefits of Dry Needling for Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow can be a frustrating and persistent condition, limiting your ability to perform simple tasks like gripping objects, lifting, or even typing. Whether caused by repetitive motion, overuse, or strain on the forearm muscles, this condition can significantly impact daily life. While treatments like rest and physiotherapy can help, dry needling has emerged as an effective technique for reducing pain and promoting faster recovery. In this blog, we’ll explore how dry needling works for tennis elbow, its benefits, and what to expect from treatment.
Tennis Elbow Explained
Tennis elbow is a condition that causes pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow, often due to repetitive motions such as gripping, lifting, or twisting. Despite its name, it affects not only athletes but also individuals who perform repetitive arm movements, such as office workers, manual labourers, and musicians.
Common symptoms of tennis elbow include:
- Pain and tenderness: Usually felt on the outer elbow and forearm, especially when gripping or lifting objects.
- Weak grip strength: Difficulty holding or lifting everyday items due to tendon strain.
- Stiffness and discomfort: Symptoms may worsen in the morning or after extended use of the affected arm.
- Pain that radiates: Discomfort may extend from the elbow down to the wrist, affecting hand function.
Without proper treatment, tennis elbow can become a chronic issue, making it essential to seek effective therapy to promote healing and restore function.
Benefits of Dry Needling for Tennis Elbow
Dry needling is a targeted treatment that involves inserting thin, sterile needles into muscle trigger points to release tension and stimulate healing. This technique offers several benefits for individuals suffering from tennis elbow:
- Pain Reduction: Dry needling helps deactivate trigger points and release muscle tightness, reducing elbow pain.
- Improved Blood Circulation: The therapy promotes better circulation, enhancing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the injured tendons.
- Faster Recovery: By triggering a natural healing response, dry needling accelerates tissue repair and reduces inflammation.
- Increased Mobility: Relieving muscle tension allows for better movement and flexibility in the elbow and forearm.
- Long-Term Relief: Dry needling addresses the root cause of muscle dysfunction, preventing recurring pain.
How Many Dry Needling Sessions Are Needed for Tennis Elbow?
The number of dry needling sessions required varies based on the severity of the condition, how the body responds to treatment, and the consistency of complementary therapies such as physiotherapy and strengthening exercises. In mild cases, noticeable improvements can often be achieved within two to four sessions, typically spaced a week apart. For individuals with moderate symptoms, four to six sessions over a few weeks may be necessary to address deeper muscle tightness and inflammation.
Severe or chronic cases generally require more extensive treatment, often involving six to eight or more sessions, combined with other rehabilitation techniques to support long-term healing. While many people begin to feel relief after just a few treatments, those prone to recurring pain may benefit from ongoing maintenance sessions to prevent flare-ups and ensure continued progress.
Is Dry Needling for Tennis Elbow Safe?
Dry needling is considered a safe and minimally invasive therapy when administered by a trained professional. The technique involves inserting thin, sterile needles into specific muscle trigger points to relieve tension and stimulate healing without the use of medication or chemicals. While the treatment is generally well-tolerated, mild and temporary side effects may occur. Some individuals experience slight soreness or bruising around the treated area, which usually subsides within a day or two. In rare cases, minor bleeding at the insertion site can occur, though it is typically minimal and not a cause for concern.
During the session, muscle twitching or cramping may be felt as the targeted muscles respond to the treatment. This reaction is normal and often indicates that the therapy is effectively releasing tension. Severe side effects are extremely uncommon when the procedure is performed by a qualified practitioner. However, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions should discuss their concerns with their physiotherapist before beginning treatment to ensure dry needling is the right approach for them.
Dry Needling Sessions for Tennis Elbow: What to Expect
If you’re new to dry needling, here’s what you can expect during a typical session:
- Initial Assessment: Your physiotherapist will evaluate your condition, identifying muscle trigger points contributing to your tennis elbow symptoms.
- Needle Insertion: Thin, sterile needles are inserted into tight or overactive muscles to release tension and improve blood flow.
- Muscle Response: You may experience a slight twitch or mild discomfort, which is a sign that the muscle is responding to treatment.
- Post-Treatment Sensation: The treated area may feel sore for a day or two, similar to the feeling after an intense workout.
- Follow-Up Care: Your therapist may recommend gentle stretches, strengthening exercises, or additional treatments to support recovery.
Does Dry Needling Hurt When Treating Tennis Elbow?
Many people wonder whether dry needling is painful, especially when targeting a sensitive area like the elbow. The level of discomfort varies from person to person, but most find the procedure to be mildly uncomfortable rather than painful. When the needle is inserted, it may cause a slight pricking sensation similar to that of an acupuncture needle. Some individuals experience a brief muscle twitch response, which is a sign that the trigger point is being effectively released.
After treatment, mild soreness may occur, similar to the sensation felt after an intense workout. This temporary discomfort typically fades within 24 to 48 hours. A skilled physiotherapist will ensure that the technique is applied safely and comfortably, adjusting the approach to suit the individual’s tolerance level. While some minor discomfort may be expected, dry needling remains a well-tolerated and effective treatment for relieving tennis elbow pain.
Possible Side Effects or Risks Associated With Dry Needling
Dry needling is a low-risk, minimally invasive treatment, but like any therapy, it has some potential side effects. The most common include:
- Mild soreness or tenderness around the treated area for 24–48 hours.
- Temporary bruising at the needle insertion sites.
- Slight bleeding (rare, and only if a small capillary is affected).
- Fatigue or lightheadedness after treatment, particularly if you’re dehydrated or sensitive to needling.
Severe complications are extremely rare, but it’s important to receive treatment from a trained professional to minimize risks. If you have bleeding disorders, infections, or a fear of needles, discuss your concerns with your physiotherapist before starting dry needling.
Can Dry Needling Help With Chronic Tennis Elbow Pain?
For individuals with chronic tennis elbow that has not responded to other treatments, dry needling can be a highly beneficial option. Long-standing cases of tennis elbow often involve persistent muscle tightness, the formation of scar tissue, and reduced circulation to the affected area. Dry needling works by breaking down stubborn muscle tension that has built up over time, allowing the muscles to relax and function more efficiently.
In addition to relieving tightness, dry needling promotes better blood flow, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissues, supporting the body’s natural healing process. By addressing compensatory muscle imbalances, the treatment restores proper movement patterns and reduces strain on the elbow. When combined with physiotherapy and strengthening exercises, dry needling can provide long-term relief, helping individuals regain function and reduce the risk of future pain. Those who have struggled with ongoing discomfort may find dry needling to be a valuable addition to their recovery plan, offering a non-invasive solution to persistent symptoms.
Maximizing the Effectiveness of Dry Needling: Post-Session Tips
To get the most out of your dry needling treatment, follow these post-session care tips:
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins released during treatment and reduces soreness.
- Apply Heat or Cold Therapy: Ice can reduce inflammation, while heat can relax tight muscles—your therapist will recommend the best option.
- Perform Gentle Stretching: Light forearm and wrist stretches help maintain flexibility and prevent muscles from tightening up again.
- Avoid Intense Activity: Give your arm a break for 24–48 hours before engaging in strenuous activity to allow proper recovery.
- Follow Your Physiotherapist’s Recommendations: Combining dry needling with strengthening exercises and ergonomic adjustments will improve long-term results.
By incorporating these recovery steps, you can enhance the effects of dry needling and support long-term relief from tennis elbow pain.
Relieve Pain, Enhance Mobility
Tennis elbow doesn’t have to hold you back. Whether you’re dealing with mild discomfort or chronic pain, dry needling offers a proven approach to relieving tension, improving mobility, and accelerating your recovery. Taking action early can prevent long-term complications and get you back to doing what you love—pain-free.
At Avenue Physio in Calgary Downtown, our experienced team provides personalized dry needling treatments designed to target muscle tension and promote healing. Book your session today and take the first step toward lasting relief!