Dry needling is a physical therapy technique that decreases pain in your muscles by deactivating a myofascial trigger point. Trigger points are tiny knots that develop in a muscle when it is injured or overworked. These spots are tender at the site and often refer pain to other areas.  This treatment uses a dry needle (a needle without medicine) to deactivate trigger points in your muscle.

What To Expect:

Your physical therapist will clean the site with alcohol. A small, sterile, disposable needle will be inserted through the skin and into the muscle to target the trigger point. This can cause the muscle to twitch. Most people feel little to no pain as the needle is inserted. A session usually takes 15-30 minutes and patients typically experience pain relief lasting from a few hours to a few weeks. It may take more than one treatment to have lasting results.  This treatment is often used in conjunction with other techniques to decrease pain and restore function.

This treatment can be beneficial for people experiencing a variety of ailments, including:

• Pain Relief
• Improved Range of Motion
• Improved Function

Symptoms Addressed:

• Acute and Chronic Injuries
• Back Pain & Sciatica
• Neck Pain & Headaches
• Muscle Spasm & Muscle Strains
• Hip/Knee pain
• Shoulder Pain
• Plantar Fasciitis

Potential Side Effects:

• Soreness
• Bruising at the site