Dry Needling

Dry needling has become a popular method for treatment for muscular conditions. It’s name may scare some people away, but it’s a safe treatment with multiple benefits. Dry needling is sometimes also referred to as Trigger Point Dry Needling or Intramuscular Manual Therapy. It is a treatment for the muscular tightness and spasm which can follow injuries, new and old. Joints affected by arthritis can cause irritation and muscles may tighten as a protective reaction. This muscular tightness and spasm can change the circulation of blood, causes chemical irritation of tissue and can even impact the nervous system causing nerves to be extra sensitive. When nerves are irritated, there can be a variety of symptoms including pain, tightness, loss of range of motion, loss of strength and ultimately an overall decrease in function. Dry needling has been shown to be effective in the treatment of a number of diagnoses, such as shoulder pain, low back issues, headaches, tendonitis, osteoarthritis, sprains and strains, decreased mobility and chronic pain. When Physical Therapists use dry needling, thin filiform needles are inserted into the muscles. The tight muscles often have a “twitch” response where they contract and relax, improving flexibility of the muscle and decreasing symptoms. Scientific research has shown that there are immediate and lasting changes in the muscle’s electrical activity, chemical composition and mobility. Dry needling is a technique that can often have immediate and lasting changes for patients!

What Does Dry Needling Do?

Dry Needling is used to:

• Treat muscle spasms and tightness.
• Facilitate muscle relaxation.
• Create a healing response by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
• Treat chronic and acute pain as well as repetitive stress injuries.

Currently, dry needling is offered at all of our Pick PT locations!