What Is Dry Needling?
Trigger point dry needling involves inserting a thin monofilament needle into a targeted muscle, precisely identified by your physical therapist. This technique releases tight bands of muscle fibers, reducing trigger point activity, alleviating pain, relieving tension, and promoting healing.
The goal is to elicit a local twitch response (LTR), which helps “reset” the muscle fibers in the taut band. This release reduces tension and can significantly decrease pain in the affected area.
How Is Dry Needling Different From Acupuncture?
Trigger point dry needling is a medical treatment targeting deeper, specific tissues within a muscle. It is used to evaluate and manage neuromusculoskeletal conditions, movement impairment and pain. Conversely, traditional acupuncture is often used to help diagnose and treat a variety of conditions with the goal of restoring a flow of energy within the body.
Patients With The Following Symptoms May Benefit From Dry Needling:
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Muscle Strains
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Tendonitis
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Osteoarthritis
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Bursitis
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Decreased range of motion
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Chronic pain
Risks Associated With Dry Needling:
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Bruising
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Muscle soreness
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Infection
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Pneumothorax
