Physical Therapy Dry Needling
Many patients who experience stiffness and pain in joints or muscles, whether long or short term, may find relief and improved range of motion with dry needling alongside traditional physical therapy treatment. Dry needling is a thin, sharp needle inserted into one or several trigger points. Because the needle is not injecting medicine, it is considered dry needling. A trigger point is a knotted and tender area in your muscle. Inserting the needle stimulates the trigger point and helps to return blood supply to normal and release tension. The prick of the needle can also help your brain release endorphins, your body’s natural pain relief.
Some patients may need one session to find relief while others may need more. Most patients see an improvement after 3-5 sessions.
Unlike acupuncture which treats body systems and is Eastern medicine based, dry needling targets the tissues affecting your body and is Western medicine based.
What conditions are helped by dry needling?
Dry needling can help relieve symptoms associated with the following conditions:
- Chronic pain, especially in the back and neck
- Headaches/migraines
- Stiff and/or painful joints
- Tight muscles
- Wrist pain and carpal tunnel syndrome
- Shin splints
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), or pain and stiffness of the jaw
- Hip pain (ITBS, GTPS, etc.)
- Elbow pain (golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, etc.)
- Shoulder pain
- Ankle and foot pain (plantar fasciitis)
- And more
Does dry needling hurt?
Because trigger points are often sore, inserting the needle can cause discomfort or bruising. Your physical therapist will do everything they can to make your treatment session as comfortable as possible.
Benefits of our dry needling therapy
A certified dry needling specialist who is also a highly trained physical therapist will assess you during your first appointment to ensure this treatment is right for you. In some cases, dry needling can reduce the number of appointments needed for patients to see improvement in their quality of life. This is a safe and effective part of your overall treatment plan.
Patients can expect to see the following benefits:
- Improved Blood Flow
- Improved Motion
- Decreased Pain
- Decreased Inflammation