Dry Needling
WHAT IS IT?
A small, sterile monofilament needle is placed into the skin at a trigger point, tendon, or scar tissue by a physical therapist specially trained and certified in dry needling.
BENEFITS
Dry needling has a variety of therapeutic uses. The localized microtrauma from dry needling can be used to bring oxygen to a specific site in a muscle for treatment of a trigger point, a knotted area of decreased oxygen within a muscle that can cause pain. Dry needling pairs well with manual therapy to decrease tone, pain, and improve tissue extensibility. Dry needling facilitates recovery by improving bloodflow to a local area and can kick start the healing process for difficult-to-heal tendon injuries. It can also be used to help mobilize scar tissue. Additionally, it can be combined with electrical stimulation for neurofacilitation for weak or deinnervated muscles.
Dry needling is typically used as part of an overall treatment plan that will likely personalized exercise, manual therapy, and education. Dry needling is used to increase range of motion that may be limited due to muscle tightness or scar tissue.
COMMON CONDITIONS
- Tendinitis
- Golfer's elbow
- Tennis elbow
- Post-whiplash
- Low back pain
- Total hip replacement or total knee replacement
- Shoulder tendinopathy
- Patellar tendinopathy
TREATMENT TIME
Dry needling treatments take only 15-20 minutes per body part, making it an efficient way to improve tissue mobility and decrease pain.
