Dry Needling

I went with an illustration this time, because the real thing looks boring.

I had my fourth session of dry needling today. Dry needling is supposed to help loosen up my muscles that are constantly tight in my leg and ankle area as well as help with the chronic pain.

While waiting for my therapist I listened in on more old people conversations, because that's really the main clientele at these rehabilitation clinics. One man told the young female receptionist that there's a new nail salon down a couple doors, as if she's unaware of her surroundings, and now she could get a pedicure after work. She said she didn't like having her nails done. He didn't like that answer. Then he asked if the women in her family enjoyed having their nails done. She said yes, but it wasn't her thing. He then proceeded to tell her that when the women in his family start talking about manicures and pedicures he leaves the room. So then, why are you so hung up on nails you creepy old bastard?

Another woman was doing the exercise bike and was asked by her therapist what her pain level was at and she answered a 7. Good grief that's high, I thought. When asked how bad it gets she then answered a 10 out of 10. The therapist, flabbergasted too, asked her to confirm it's the worst pain ever, because that's like GET ME TO THE HOSPITAL OR I'M GOING TO FUCKING DIE pain and the patient said yes, indeed. One time I asked a doctor about having my leg amputated when I was actually in the hospital and I was at a pain level of 7, maybe 8 tops. I was advised that I'd probably suffer from phantom leg syndrome and then all I could think about was Venture Brothers.

Finally, my therapist was free and I began another session of dry needling. The needle looks like an acupuncture needle, which is very thin and a few inches long. The therapist takes the needle and pokes the trigger points over and over instead of leaving it in one place as if my calf is being tenderized and made into Soylent Green. IT'S PEOPLE!!! It feels like electricity that shoots down to the bottom of my foot, even though I'm being needled in the calf. My therapist told me the first day that my trigger points are like spongy phenolic foam used for floral arrangements. She said it was difficult to needle me. I even dulled the needles quickly. I'm so proud.

My therapist tried a new area where she had felt tightness, but I don't feel pain. Afterward, my ankle and the bottom of my foot felt much looser, which is what I've been searching for. I don't want to get too excited, but I'm hoping this was the breakthrough and it will last. At the moment it feels like a Charley horse where the injections, or needling, occurred in my calf. That pain improves after about a day. I'm optimistic because six hours later my foot and ankle are still loose. I have two more planned sessions and if I continue to improve there will be more.