Dry needling has become a popular method of addressing musculoskeletal pain, particularly in physical therapy settings. It involves inserting fine needles into specific points in the muscles, known as trigger points, to relieve pain and restore normal muscle function. While this treatment has shown benefits for conditions like neck pain, some patients report experiencing unexpected side effects, such as toothaches. So, will dry needling of the neck give me a tooth ache, and what exactly is behind this phenomenon?

Understanding Dry Needling and Trigger Points

Dry needling is often used to target myofascial trigger points, which are tight bands or knots within a muscle. These trigger points can contribute to pain and tension, not only in the affected area but also in seemingly unrelated parts of the body—a phenomenon known as referred pain. Referred pain is common in patients with myofascial pain syndrome, where pain from trigger points in one area manifests in another region, sometimes leading to confusion about the actual source of discomfort.

Trigger point dry needling is a physical therapy technique that aims to relax these myofascial trigger points by inserting needles into them, stimulating the muscles to release tension. This can help relieve pain and restore a normal range of motion in areas affected by trigger points, including the neck.

The Relationship Between Neck Pain and Toothaches

The neck is a complex structure involving muscles, nerves, and joints that are all interconnected with other parts of the body. It’s not uncommon for pain in the neck to lead to discomfort in nearby regions, including the head and jaw. For instance, head and neck pain can sometimes extend into the jaw, and this could explain why some patients report toothaches after dry needling in the neck area.

When asking, “Will dry needling of the neck give me a toothache?” the answer is that while it is not a common side effect, it is possible due to the intricate connections within the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. In some cases, stimulating a trigger point in the neck might cause referred pain in the jaw or teeth, mimicking the sensation of a toothache.

How Referred Pain Works

To understand how dry needling might result in a toothache, it’s essential to recognize how referred pain operates. When trigger points in the neck are activated, they can send pain signals to the jaw, face, or head due to shared nerve pathways. This could create the sensation of a toothache, even though the actual source of the pain is in the neck muscles.

Patients with conditions such as myofascial pain syndrome or chronic pain conditions may be more prone to experiencing referred pain. Additionally, if you have underlying issues like herniated discs, which can lead to neck pain, the pressure on nerves could contribute to the likelihood of developing referred pain to other areas, such as the teeth or jaw.

The Role of Dry Needling in Physical Therapy

Many physical therapists use dry needling as part of comprehensive physical therapy treatments for a wide range of conditions, including neck pain, shoulder pain, and even impingement syndrome elbow pain. By targeting trigger points, they can help restore normal muscle tones and achieve pain relief in muscles that are tight or overactive. Patients suffering from rotator cuff muscle tears, carpal tunnel syndrome, and wrist pain may also benefit from this therapy.

However, it’s important to understand that dry needling isn’t a standalone treatment. It is usually combined with other physical therapy approaches, such as stretching, strengthening exercises, and manual therapy, to enhance results and reduce the risk of referred pain or other side effects.

Factors That May Contribute to Toothache-Like Sensations After Dry Needling

Several factors might make someone more prone to experiencing a toothache following dry needling of the neck:

1. Sensitive Nerve Pathways: The nerves in the neck are closely linked to the nerves in the face and jaw. Stimulating a trigger point in the neck could irritate these nerves, potentially leading to pain that feels like it originates from the teeth.
2. Previous Jaw or Dental Issues: If a patient has a history of dental problems or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, neck pain or treatment in the neck region could exacerbate or trigger jaw discomfort, possibly leading to a toothache. To know more about toothaches, please consult a D’vine Smiles dentist in Greensborough today.
3. Referred Pain from Myofascial Trigger Points: Patients with myofascial pain are more likely to experience referred pain. Dry needling of trigger points in the neck could potentially activate this referred pain, manifesting as discomfort in the jaw or teeth.
4. Involuntary Spinal Cord Reflex: During dry needling, it’s possible to stimulate reflexes that affect muscles and nerves in unexpected ways. This can sometimes lead to temporary sensations of pain in other parts of the body, including the face or jaw.

Dry Needling and Its Effectiveness in Managing Pain

Despite the possibility of referred pain, dry needling remains an effective tool for managing musculoskeletal pain. It is frequently used to treat a variety of conditions, such as:

• Chronic pain conditions like lumbar degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease
• Hip pain, knee pain, and heel pain
• Shoulder pain caused by rotator cuff muscle tears
• Carpal tunnel syndrome and hand and wrist pain
• Impingement syndrome elbow pain

The goal of dry needling is to alleviate pain and discomfort by relaxing trigger points and improving the affected muscle’s range of motion. When used alongside other physical therapy techniques, patients often experience long-term improvements in their symptoms and overall mobility.

Safety and Risks

While dry needling is generally considered safe, it’s not without potential side effects. Patients may experience mild soreness at the treatment site, bruising, or, in rare cases, referred pain to areas like the jaw or teeth. However, serious complications are extremely rare when dry needling is performed by a licensed, trained professional.

To minimize risks, it’s important to work with a skilled physical therapist who can assess your individual needs and create a personalized treatment plan. This helps ensure that you receive the appropriate care for your specific condition, reducing the likelihood of unintended side effects such as referred tooth pain.

Conclusion: Will Dry Needling of the Neck Give Me a Toothache?

To answer the question, “Will dry needling of the neck give me a toothache?”—the possibility exists, but it’s not a typical side effect. The sensation of a toothache following dry needling in the neck is likely due to referred pain from trigger points, which can send pain signals to the jaw or teeth due to shared nerve pathways. While this is a rare occurrence, it can happen, particularly in individuals with myofascial pain syndrome or pre-existing dental issues.

Dry needling remains a highly effective treatment for many forms of musculoskeletal pain, including neck pain, shoulder pain, and other chronic pain conditions. By addressing trigger points and improving range of motion, patients can achieve pain relief and better manage conditions such as degenerative joint disease, herniated discs, and chronic pain. If you’re concerned about potential side effects, including toothaches, it’s best to discuss these with your physical therapist to ensure the treatment is right for you.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4117383/

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16542-dry-needling

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/on-pins-and-needles-just-what-is-dry-needling#:~:text=Dry%20needling%20is%20a%20newer,targets%20dysfunctional%20muscle%20trigger%20points.