When this fitness instructor-journalist went a little too hard in dance cardio class and tore her calf, a cutting-edge medical procedure called “dry needling” helped her regain her groove.

My calf muscle was torn during my first number while jumping off the stage. It sounds more relaxed than it was. At a gym, I teach cardio dance classes. During a friendly, slow warm-up, I jumped off the eight-inch high stage and felt a snap in my left leg. My eyes welled up with tears, and I continued to push on, but it was all I could do to finish the class.

I was able to go straight to urgent care. I discovered that I would be spending weeks on crutches and–the most frightening part of it all–I was at risk for another similar injury if I didn’t do something else. My passion and my outlet are fitness. It was also my job, so it scared me enough to do something about the injury. (Rather than living in denial and taping it up, as I am known for.

Dry needling can be used in physical therapy. Monofilament needles are inserted into the muscle tissue and then manipulated to relax it. It is beneficial for pain relief, injury recovery, and restoring function.

Here is my personal experience with dry needling for sports injuries.

We are trying everything to heal.

My doctor recommended physical therapy to help me recover, strengthen, and prevent future injuries. My friends, who are also fitness instructors, suggested I see Aaron Knighton, a Boulder-based doctor of physical therapy. He is a great therapist and will make you feel much better.

Lisa, a triathlete and swim coach, said, “Just to be sure, he’s going needle you.”

Do you need to help me? I was astonished that she didn’t know what those words meant. Due to my overcompensation for losing weight, I also sprained my right knee. Within one month, I had gone from having two legs that were strong to none.

I needed help.

It was my first-time dry needling.

Dr Knighton gave me a detailed explanation of the physiology behind a soft tissue injury. It could be a tear, strain or sprain. He explained that the body’s response to an injury causes all the muscles surrounding it to tense up to support and protect the area. It is a standard protective mechanism and can be helpful at the moment. However, trigger points (or tight spaces) can persist even after an injury has healed. They can cause pain, inflammation, loss of function, or even further damage.

All of these symptoms were present in me. I couldn’t sleep for several weeks. What can I do to get rid of the trigger point?

He said, “We release them using needles.” I insert the needle into the trigger point and then manipulate it until it is released. It may pop open or relax like ice melting on hot plates.

That sounded so lovely! It was something my friends had done, and they didn’t think it was dangerous.

While Dr Knighton applied his gloves, I laid down on my stomach. After rubbing alcohol was applied to my calf, Dr Knighton opened a small sterile package containing a filiform needle. I don’t fear needles, and the one he had was tiny. I was ready to relax and prepare for what I imagined would feel like a pinprick or acupuncture.

“F***!! “F***!” I shouted, almost shooting through the ceiling. “Ah, my God, I’m so sorry!” I gasped, the lightning flashing behind me.

He calmly continued with the procedure, saying, “Don’t apologize.” “Pretty much everybody swears, especially the very first time.”

“Did I kick you?”

He said, “No,” but that was because he was holding his leg down.

My body is flooded with sweat.

Dr Knighton assured me that it was normal. “You’re doing great.”

It would only be the first iteration of dialogue that we’d continue many times over six weeks. “I’m sorry that I got your table all wet. I don’t believe that it’s pee.

“No worries, you’re fine.”

“I am shaky and lightheaded. “I’m not fine.”

“I promise you’re fine.”

I found myself in constant pain, sweating, swearing, and Dr Knighton was always kind and patient.

The benefits of dry needling in injury recovery

Dry needling provided some relief, despite the discomfort I felt during the treatment. The first few days were harrowing and itchy. But by the second week, I could bear weight without pain.

To help the tear and the strain, I received weekly dry needling treatments in my legs for the next few months. The quad, hip, and foot were not too painful for me. The pain in my hamstring, inner thigh, and knee were unbearable. One “stim” treatment was even offered to me. The needles were inserted into my lower back and upper buttocks and connected to a battery. It sent electric currents through my body that felt almost like stings from bees. My experience is that the calves hurt the most. I had to needle them every time.

I was able to manage the pain better. I am proud to say that I have never kicked Dr Knighton. It may be due to his skill more than my restraint. I was taught techniques to cope with the situation, such as covering my eyes with a towel and holding on to the table’s edge like the raft from Titanic. I also asked Dr Knighton for stories about his athletic injuries that would distract me. And yes, I swear like a sailor at times. It is the only time it’s acceptable to curse. My swim instructor friend Lisa suggested another trick: “You just need to learn how to breathe through it.” Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to master Lisa’s Zen method.

But I can say with absolute certainty that the pain and the money (because my insurance didn’t cover it) were worth it. I am almost completely recovered. My pain is nearly gone. I can run and jump and teach classes almost as usual. I can now sit cross-legged with my dog on the ground again. It was a joy that I hadn’t realised how much I had missed until I couldn’t for three months. I can even leap off the stage!

My progress is not due to dry needling. It was just one component of my more extensive physical therapy program that included targeted exercises, stretches, and physical manipulation. I also had braces or taping on some areas. Dr Knighton stresses that dry needling works best when combined with other therapeutic modalities.

However, needling helped me release my trigger points (and it does feel like an ice cube–the pain slowly dissipates during the procedure) so I could do more of what I needed to recover.

Please visit http://jodansudberg.net/ or http://drjordansudberg.com/ for more news related to pain management and chiropractic.