Dry Needling

 
 

WHat is dry needling?

While the name of the procedure may sound intimidating, dry needling is safe, minimally discomforting and often an effective technique for patients with certain musculoskeletal presentations. Dry needling treats muscle tissue, and its goal is to reduce pain, inactivate trigger points and restore function

 

How is it different from acupuncture?

The purpose of acupuncture is to alter the flow of energy (“Qi”) along traditional Chinese meridians for the treatment of pain and dysfunction. Dry needling has an anatomy-specific focus as needles will be inserted directly into the tight muscle rather than up and down the path of its energy.

 

What types of conditions can benefit from dry needling?

Dry needling is almost always used as a part of an overall plan that will likely include some type of exercise, manual therapy, heat therapy, and education. Dry needling is used to increase range of motion that may be limited due to muscle tightness or scar tissue. Dry needling may also treat:

  • Joint problems

  • Disk problems

  • Tendinitis

  • Migraine and tension-type headaches

  • Jaw and mouth problems (such as temporomandibular joint disorders or TMD)

  • Whiplash

  • Repetitive motion disorders (like carpal tunnel syndrome)

  • Spinal problems

  • Pelvic pain

  • Night cramps

  • Phantom pain

  • Post-herpetic neuralgia (pain left behind by shingles)

 
 

What can i expect after a treatment

We are looking to get improvements even from the first visit such as increased range of motion, ease of movement and decreased signs/symptoms.

Many patients report being sore after the treatment in both the area treated and the area of referred symptoms.  Typically this soreness lasts between a few hours and two days and there is occasional bruising.