Dry needling technique is utilized for the evaluation and/or treatment of myofascial trigger points and tender points within your muscles, tendons or ligaments. Recent evidence has shown that trigger points are localized areas of hyperactive muscle or tissue that have numerous inflammatory and pain producing chemicals causing local tightness of the muscle. The tightness of the muscle is often accompanied by pain and dysfunction of the muscle, consequently irritating nerve endings as well as decreasing normal movement of the nearby joints enough to limit normal, functional activities.

Dry needling to trigger points has been shown to decrease or completely reduce the irritation and to reduce or completely eliminate the irritating chemicals in an active trigger point. This release can immediately improve range of motion, decrease pain and improve function. Patients often feel a significant improvement of their symptoms immediately after the treatment. Trigger point dry needling facilitates a hastened return to strengthening and exercises that result in a faster return to function.

The dry needling procedure involves placing a very thin, single use disposable sterile solid filament needle (not hollow) with sterile technique into a trigger point. The number of needles used during any individual visit and the number of visits you are given this treatment depends on many factors that differ from patient to patient.

Be assured that this procedure is very safe. Most patients do not feel the needle when it is placed and other than a focal muscle twitch or feeling of a subtle muscle cramp around the needle tip, there is little to no pain with this procedure. Because the needle being used is very thin, there is usually little to no bleeding with this procedure. Occasionally, however, complications may arise. Any procedure intended to help may have complications or side effects. Most complications are very minor and self-limiting and resolve rapidly.