Dry Needling: What Is It?
You may have heard it called “trigger point dry needling,” or even “intramuscular manual therapy,” but they’re all names for the same thing. Dry needling is a new technique used to treat myofascial pain. An un-medicated “dry” needle is inserted through the skin into certain “trigger point” areas of the muscle. Trigger points can be found within larger areas of muscle groups. They are taught bands of skeletal muscle that are often tender and almost always cause pain in other parts of the body when touched.
There is absolutely NO injection and it’s not acupuncture!
Dry needling treatment uses a thin, filiform needle to target tissues that would be otherwise impossible for a physical therapist to access by hand. By penetrating the skin, the needle allows for stimulation of underlying myofascial trigger points and connective tissues. The result: rapid pain and stress relief throughout the body.
How It Can Help
When certain trigger points are released or inactivated, individuals may experience relatively immediate pain relief and / or improved range of motion. For patients in rehabilitation, this can be life-altering. A treatment that reduces muscle tension while simultaneously controlling pain can significantly improve a person’s ability to recover from injury. When used in conjunction with other rehabilitation treatments, dry needling can help:
- Release muscles from chronic tension
- Restore limited range of motion in joints
- Alleviate pain without the use of painkillers
The benefits of dry needling treatment aren’t exclusive to rehabilitation, either. Patients suffering from a number of conditions can be treated using the dry needles method. If you are currently experiencing pain from any of the following, we encourage you to contact us at ProFysio Physical Therapy about how the treatment may be able to help with pain related to:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Golfer or tennis elbow
- Headaches
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tendonitis
- TMJ
At ProFysio Physical Therapy, our physical therapists are specially trained to help patients suffering from chronic pain. We are excited to introduce this new method of treatment, as we have personally seen the benefits it can have for people who suffer. If you’re interested in learning more about the dry needling treatment process, or you would like to schedule a visit at one of our office locations, contact us today at (732) 333-6360.