Dry needling uses the same delicate needles as acupuncture but in a different way. With this technique the needle is inserted into the muscle to hit the trigger point and release the tension and pain in that specific area.
When would I need Dry Needling?
Dry Needling is a newer approach to treating muscular pain and tension. It is not a permanent change to the muscle but it allows a very fast change in tension. When we can "turn off" the muscle, this allows blood flow to return to the tissue. With new blood flow, the area is able to remove excess inflammation, relieve nerve pressure or pain and start the healing process.
In our office we have used it in quite a few different ways:
- After a sports injury, there is usually just a short window of recovery. Dry Needling will reduce the down time needed and help you return to your sport faster and healthier.
- We have excellent results when applying this treatment to TMJ (jaw) dysfunction. It is less painful and seems to work quickly for patients who suffer from jaw and face pain.
- We use this when someone comes to us in a painful low back spasm. When even a light touch causes more pain, this treatment allows our Doctors to stop the muscle spasm, decreasing pain and pressure immediately. This will also speed recovery because it allows the return of blood to the injured muscle or ligament.
- We use this with our strength competitors. If you are preparing for a competition or recovering from one, this is a beneficial treatment.
- Dry needling can treat a blunt force injury that happened years ago and is still causing pain. Sometimes there is no more routes of pain relief from medical doctors except opoids, let us see how much improvement we can achieve with this new technique.
- Shoulder tension and pain responds very well to dry needling.
Overall, this is a very effective, dynamic treatment and is much less painful than other possible techniques.
