This past weekend I had the privilege to attend the inaugural Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling seminar with 11 other chiropractors from across the state in Portland, Oregon. I had a great time at the seminar and met some very knowledgable chiropractors that were in attendance. As I looked around the room, there were doctors there who have been in practice 33 + years and some 2-3 years. It is interesting to see the way people are incorporating soft tissue treatments into their practices. You can never be in practice too long to learn new techniques.
Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling is a therapeutic and diagnostic technique whose purpose is to neutralize dysfunctional soft tissue and restore or improve muscle and fascial function. This treatment acts to mechanically disrupt the tension in the tissue. We do this by inserting monofilament, sterile, thin gauge needles by hand.
Dry needling is an established modality historically and is well established in the literature as an effective treatment method for soft tissue dysfunction. It has been used throughout Europe and is gaining popularity in the United States as a treatment with strong cost benefit and effectiveness. This procedure is not to be confused with Acupuncture, which is an Oriental complete system of healing whose theories focus on the use of specific points, meridians and the concept of Qi. The mechanism of dry needling myofascial trigger points is based on western concepts of anatomy, physiology, neurology and biomechanics. The only common element is the choice of procedural instrument, the monofilament needle.
Here are a few of the benefits of Dry Needling:
- It is both diagnostic and therapeutic.
- Brings about resolution of symptoms more rapidly.
- Per treatment cost is minimal and cost to benefit ratio is very high.
- Wide application throughout the body.
- Does not interfere with most patients’ drug regimens or interfere with implanted devices such as pacemakers.
- There is no contraindication to the number of sites or frequency of treatment.
- Can be safely used with patients, who are very osteoporotic, have compression fractures, and who have cancer.
This is another method of treating soft tissue dysfunction. It does not replace the chiropractic adjustment, Active Release Technique, instrument assisted techniques, massage or any other treatment you are or currently have been receiving. Dry needling is a powerful adjunctive technique and I am happy to say patients in my office have reaped the benefits of this one of a kind procedure.
Live your best,
Dr. Brian
Tags: dry needling, muscle, myofascial pain, pain, soft tissue