Dry Needling

Treat Musculoskeletal Pain by Deactivating Myofascial Trigger Points

What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling involves your therapist using an extremely thin filiform needle to stimulate Myofascial Trigger Points (TrPs) beneath the skin. This can have dramatic results for managing musculoskeletal pain and improving overall movement.

  • Though acupuncture needles are used in the dry needling technique, dry needling does not use acupuncture theory or meridians.

    There are several popular, well-established techniques of dry needling practice. They commonly involve the needling of Myofascial Trigger Points to deactivate and help resolve trigger points.

    Unlike in Accupuncture, dry needling is used specifically to resolve soft tissue dysfunction, inflammation, contracture, tissue adhesion, microcirculatory dysfunction, and edema and balance the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system.

 Myofascial Pain and Trigger Points

Myofascial Trigger Points are estimated to play a role in as much as 85% of musculoskeletal pain. In fact, they are one of the most overlooked and ignored causes of acute and chronic pain.

We see a large number of patients who present to us with pain that arises from muscle and its connective tissue. One understanding is that these patients are suffering with pain caused by Myofascial Pain Syndrome, which is a condition that has been caused by trigger points - hyperirritable spots in a taut band of a skeletal muscle that usually feature referred pain

 Signs and Symptoms of Myofascial Trigger Points

 

Myofascial Trigger Points have been associated with nearly every musculoskeletal pain problem, including:

  • migraines

  • tendonitis

  • joint dysfunction

  • carpal tunnel syndrome

  • radiculopathies

  • disc pathology

  • craniomandibular dysfunction

  • tension-type headaches

  • whiplash-associated spinal dysfunction

  • pelvic pain and other urologic syndromes

  • Many More

 

Common characteristics of trigger points include:

  • Creation of spontaneous pain

  • Contribution to motor dysfunction by causing increased muscle tension

  • Muscle weakness and muscle stiffness

  • Restriction of range of motion

  • Cardiac arrhythmias

  • Excessive Lacrimation

  • Proprioceptive disturbances , dizziness/vertigo

  • Shortness of breath

  • Local tenderness

  • Referral of pain to a distant site

  • Peripheral and Central Sensitization

Causes of Myofascial Trigger Points

 

There is a general agreement that many types of muscle overuse, direct trauma, and indirect factors can lead to the development of Trigger Points. Examples include:

  • Sustained or repetitive low-level muscle contractions (e.g. computer work or playing an instrument)

  • Eccentric muscle contractions

  • Sub-maximal concentric contractions

  • Maximal concentric contractions

  • Psychological stress

  • Visceral Disorders

 How Can Dry Needling Help With Your Pain?

Dry needling can dramatically reduce musculoskeletal pain, improve range of motion, and relieve many symptoms caused by Myofascial Trigger Points.

Most patients experience positive results after just one to three sessions, even when other therapies have shown little or inconsistent results.

There are dozens of independent studies demonstrating the positive results of dry needling myofascial trigger point therapy. But, the best evidence of all is the hundreds of patients whom we’ve helped experience improved quality of life and relief from chronic pain.

Check some of our client testimonials to hear their stories.

Schedule Your Dry Needling Session (or ask a question)

Complete the form below to request a dry needling session or ask for more information. We’ll respond within two business days.