While trigger point dry needling is not new, it is certainly a very recent addition to the physical therapists in the U.S. This revolutionary, pain-relieving technique is yet another tool your P.T. may recommend as a part of your overall treatment plan. It’s a procedure in which an extremely thin, (small diameter) solid-filament needle is inserted into the skin directly into a muscle at the location of a myofascial trigger point (MTrP) that your therapist has identified through detailed examination. The MTrP consists of multiple contraction knots in a muscle, which are related to the production and maintenance of the pain cycle. Simply put, this “needle-effect” causes both a mechanical and biochemical change within the muscle. One of the hallmark characteristics of these trigger points is “referred pain”, meaning MTrP’s in a muscle can be the cause of pain elsewhere in the body—oftentimes in the same region. Although trigger points and myofascial pain are poorly recognized worldwide, there is a growing number of scientific studies that confirm that trigger points are indeed a very common source of pain and dysfunction. Many of our patients are shocked that so much pain can be coming from muscle trigger points alone, and relieved that it can oftentimes be so quickly eliminated with dry needling.
Our PT’s have been trained through, Myopain Seminars, which offers the most comprehensive coursework available in the U.S., and its co-founder Dr. Jan Dommerholdt, was the first P.T. in the U.S. to teach dry-needling techniques to Physical Therapists. Certification is the culmination of over 136 hours of practical instruction, followed by both a written and practical examination. Our therapists have a combined 5+ years of experience with daily dry-needling our patients who need this technique.
Have questions about dry needling? You might find the answers in this Dry Needling FAQs handout.