What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a treatment technique and intervention that involves a thin filiform needle, as used in the practice of acupuncture, to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying tissue for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments. Dry needling targets neural, muscular, and connective tissue as well as trigger points throughout the body. It is a safe, inexpensive, and low risk treatment that can offer pain relief and improved mobility.
How does it work?
The physiology behind the effectiveness of dry needling is quite scientific but the quick explanation is that it causes effects within the body, brain and nervous system to help promote healing. Pain is processed in our brain- we have messages that go from parts of our body to the brain that tell us we’re in pain. Dry needling has been shown to effectively disrupt that message, therefore reducing the pain we experience. It also releases chemicals such as your body’s natural opioids for pain reduction and others that decrease tightness and increase blood flow for reduced inflammation and faster healing.
Who does it help?
The list of symptoms and diagnoses that can be improved with dry needling keeps growing as studies on its efficacy continue. Research has shown that dry needling is effective in reducing active and latent trigger points that cause localized and referred pain. It can also be effective in reducing symptoms associated with chronic tendinitis/tendinosis, joint arthritis, jaw pain and dysfunction, headaches and chronic pain.
Our safety promise to you
All our physical therapists have attended classes and education on dry needling and are certified dry needling practitioners. We always use sterile needles, and the risk of infection and complications is minimal. Your PT will perform a full assessment and go over standard precautions and contraindications to determine if dry needling is a treatment that is right for you.