Can Dry Needling help heal disc herniations and bulging discs?

Yes absolutely it can.

In my years treating all kinds of disc issues, I can honestly tell you that these can be treated and you can look forward to a pain free future. But you must start treatment right away.

Our bones, including the ones in our spine, move. Sometimes they slip out of place and start to compress spinal nerves causing some pretty serious pain. I usually see this in people who sit a lot or do a lot of heavy lifting in one plane only like in a dead lift.

I can only speak about the cases I’ve worked on, but in every case that received a cortisone shot, they all regretted it. Here’s the difference between western medicine and eastern medicine. Western tries to numb the pain so you can keep on going but if all you do is put a band aid on the pain, what happens if you want to keep exercising? Or you need to keep working and you know sitting at a desk all day isn’t going to change for you any time soon.

Treating disc bulges and herniations with acupuncture, treats the root cause of the problem which is most likely very tight hip flexors and some gluteal weakness. Treating the trigger points contributing to the pain along with some neurofunctional acupuncture to re-educate those muscles along with some stretches can help you heal.

Are there some disc problems that may be beyond repair with acupuncture or dry needling?

Yes, I do believe so. But, it’s very likely in patients who already have an established diagnosis with either a Spine specialist or an orthopedic surgeon where discussions about spinal surgery are the only option. If you are this person, please give acupuncture a try, you never know until you do. Do at least 3 sessions with an acupuncturist who is skilled in Dry Needling and if possible, Motor Point Acupuncture.

I did a rotation at The NYU Rusk Institute for Sports Rehabilitation and treated patients with advanced spinal stenosis, spinal fusions and spinal arthritis. Even in the worst cases, they all loved acupuncture dry needling. Even in advanced stages, they all said they couldn’t live without acupuncture.