The thought of needles can bring up a wide range of emotions—from confidence to complete fear and even terror. Interventions in pain management have to use needles, be it for nerve blocks, regenerative therapy or muscle treatment like ultrasound guided dry needling (USGDN) or botox.
Why needling is essential- Over the past 25 years we have understood that while nerve blocks relieve pain temporarily, muscle treatments like ultrasound guided dry needling, they eliminate the pain and this is because nerves only conduct pain. Hitting a nerve is like shooting the messenger. The root cause of pain lies in the muscle which needs to be eliminated and this is the treatment that eliminates it.
Patients have to understand that, whilst medications are effective, its effect is temporary and not curative. It is only a support system. But interventions are to address the root cause of the problem particularly USGDN ,which addresses the myofascial trigger points (MtrPs). When we eliminate those, not only does the pain disappear but it also improves disability. Patients are able to walk more, stand for more time etc. These kinds of results cannot be achieved even with nerve blocks, medications or physiotherapy alone.
Over time, we’ve observed that patients generally fall into a few common personality patterns when it comes to needles.
Different Types of Needle Responses
1. The “Hero” Type
These patients, often downplay discomfort, and are ready to go through the procedure without much hesitation since they are mentally prepared to undergo needling to relieve pain and resume an active life
2. The Relief Seekers
These are fed up with pain and the disability and actively seek relief. They are intelligent enough to focus on the cause and effect of needle therapy. Interestingly, they actually look forward to needling procedures because they associate them with significant pain relief and recovery.
3. The Rational Thinker
These patients focus on outcomes. If the procedure helps reduce pain and improves function, they are willing to undergo it despite mild discomfort
4. The Generally Needle Fearful
These patients are afraid of needles in any context—blood tests, injections, or procedures. Their anxiety is not specific but generalized.
5. The Visceral Fear Response Type
This is a deeper, more instinctive fear. Patients may feel faint, dizzy, or extremely uncomfortable even at the thought of a needle. It’s not something they can easily control.
6.The Self-Image Sensitive Type
For this group, the idea of needing a needle is difficult to accept. They view themselves as delicate sensitive refined individuals who should not need needling which they consider crude. They want magic bullets which heal them without any interventions. Their hesitation often comes from a strong self-image—“I shouldn’t need this” or “I can’t handle this.” This category will benefit only if they allow themselves to have the treatment.
How We Perform Needling at Our Clinic
We understand that comfort and reassurance are key to a successful treatment experience. We also understand that needle aversion is natural. Our approach is designed to minimize not just pain but also anxiety
Ultra-thin Needles
The needles we use are extremely fine—much thinner than most people expect.
- Topical Numbing (Prilox Cream)
Before starting, we apply a numbing cream (Prilox Cream) to the skin. This helps numb the skin and the tissue just beneath it, making the initial insertion painless.
- Relaxing the Muscle
Since these muscles are already in spasm and sensitive, we support the process by administering appropriate pain killer injections and muscle relaxant medications when needed. This helps the muscle release more comfortably and improves the overall experience
- What You May Feel
The needle itself usually does not cause pain while entering the skin. However, when it reaches a tight or spasming muscle, you may feel a brief discomfort or twitch. This is actually a sign that the targeted muscle is being activated for release.
Our Approach: Comfort, Care, and Communication
We understand that every patient is different. Whether you’re confident, anxious, or somewhere in between, our goal is to make the experience as comfortable and reassuring as possible.
We take time to:
- Explain the procedure clearly
- Address fears without judgment
- Adapt our approach based on your comfort level
Because effective pain relief isn’t just about technique—it’s about trust.
