Dry Needling

Dry needling, or trigger point dry needling, is a soft tissue technique applied by a certified therapist to locate and treat disorders related to soft tissue tension, damage, or dysfunction associated with myofascial trigger points. These trigger points are hyper excitable bands within a muscle which cause pain, tenderness, tension, and overall tissue dysfunction. The treatment involves the use of a monofilament needle to penetrate the trigger point creating a local twitch response, a small involuntary contraction, that results in desensitization of the trigger point and release of the muscle resulting in improved pain and function.

The goal is to restore normal muscle and joint function, decrease pain, improve strength and mobility, and enhance healing and recovery. It can also release tight muscles, decrease tension and prevent future injuries.

Who can benefit

Dry needling serves as a treatment for soft tissue pain from myofascial trigger points, which can develop from activity and overuse and become problematic, or they can be associated with a formal injury or diagnosis. It can also help with nerve symptoms individuals may be experiencing that are related to soft tissue impingement around the nerves. Almost all areas of the body can be treated but common treatment areas include the neck and shoulders, lower back, and thighs and calves.

Conditions treated

Common conditions dry needling can treat include:

• Tennis and golfer’s elbow
• ITB syndrome
• Calf strains
• Achilles tendopathy
• Low back pain
• Sciatica
• Shoulder impingement
• Neck pain

Certified physical therapists