Dry Needling is a treatment technique often used by physical therapists to relieve pain. It requires using a sterile acupuncture needle that is inserted through the skin into muscles, tendons, ligaments, and/or close to nerves to immediately reduce pain, decrease muscle tension and increase mobility. Dry Needling is not acupuncture; it is based on a modern scientific study of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. This treatment technique provides an environment that enhances the body’s ability to heal which ultimately reduces pain.
Dry needling is backed by scientific research as well as a modern Western medical practice. Dry needling is a neurophysiological evidence-based treatment technique and an effective treatment for chronic pain and other musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, rotator cuff tendonitis, reduced range of motion, repetitive motion disorders, like carpal tunnel syndrome, scar-tissue buildup, disk, and spinal problems, myofascial pain, and a lot more. To achieve the full effects of dry needling, most patients require at least two or three sessions in the office, however, others may require up to six office visits. Depending on your condition, dry needling can be performed once or twice a week.
Conditions treated with dry needling
Dry needling has successfully been used to treat a variety of conditions including:
Head and Neck Pain – including whiplash and headaches, migraines, degenerative joint disease, degenerative disk disease or osteoarthritis
Otological (Ear) and Opthamological (Eye) Pain – including tinnitus and eye strain
Dental (Teeth) and Orthodontic (Jaw and Occlusal) Pain – including cavities, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, tooth impaction and root problems
Shoulder Pain – including rotator cuff muscle tears, bursitis, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), tendonitis and impingement syndrome
Elbow Pain – including lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow)
Hand and Wrist Pain – including gamekeeper’s thumb, DeQuervain’s syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis
Back and Hip Pain – including lumbar degenerative disc disease, arthritic changes and herniated discs
Knee Pain – including degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis
Shin / Ankle / Foot Pain – including shin splints, gout, metatarsalgia and Morton’s neuroma
Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)
Acute Tendonitis (also spelled Tendinitis) and Chronic Tendinosis (also known as Tendinopathy)
Athletic and Sports - related Overuse Injuries
Post-surgical Pain
Post-traumatic Injuries - Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA), and Work-related Injuries
Other Chronic Pain Conditions – including myofascial pain and myofascial pain syndrome (MPS)
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