Dry Needling

We use dry needling to decrease pain and improve our patient's quality of life! We have found dry needling to be a wonderful adjunct to our physical therapy services. It involves the insertion of thin, solid needles into specific points in the body without the injection of any substances (hence the term "dry" needling).

The goal of dry needling is to decrease pain and improve function This can develop as a result of muscle overuse, trauma, or other factors. They are often associated with the presence of muscle knots, muscle tension, restricted range of motion, and referred pain.

When performing dry needling, a physical therapist will identify the painful areas through a thorough assessment of the patient's symptoms, movement patterns, and palpation of the affected muscles. Once identified, the therapist will use a thin acupuncture needle to penetrate the skin and reach the underlying area.

Dry needling aims to provide several benefits, including:

Pain relief: The insertion of the needle can stimulate sensory nerves, leading to the release of endorphins and other natural pain-relieving substances. It can help reduce local pain as well as referred pain associated with trigger points.

Improved muscle function: By releasing trigger points and relaxing muscle tension, dry needling can improve muscle flexibility, range of motion, and overall muscle function.

Increased blood flow: The needle insertion can increase local blood circulation, which promotes healing and the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the affected area.

Facilitation of other treatments: Dry needling is often used as an adjunct therapy alongside other physical therapy techniques such as manual therapy, exercise, and stretching. It can help prepare the muscles for these interventions and enhance their effectiveness.