Our Dry Needling approached is based on a diagnosis-focused approach.  We use effective strategies to manage commonly encountered pathologies in orthopedic and sport rehabilitation to help our patients and clients feel and perform better. 

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What is dry needling?

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Dry needling is also known trigger point dry needling or myofascial trigger point dry needling. It is performed by physical therapists specifically trained to use needles to treat myofascial pain. The word “myofascial” is made up of the roots “myo” (which refers to muscle) and “fascia” (which refers to the tissue that connects muscle).

Muscles occasionally develop knotted areas called trigger points. These trigger points are highly sensitive and can be painful. They are also often the cause of referred pain, pain that affects another part of the body. Clinicians push thin solid needles through the skin into trigger points. The needles are used to stimulate the tissue, not to inject medication.

Pain affects how your body moves. Research shows that dry needling changes the way the brain and muscles talk to each other to let the system return to a more normal movement pattern.

A patient may experience different sensations when being needled, muscle soreness, aching and a muscle twitch when a needle is inserted is considered to be a good sign. The needles may be placed deeply or superficially, for shorter or longer periods of time, depending on what type of pain is being treated and how long it has been present.

 

What kinds of pain does dry needling treat?

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In our clinic, dry needling is always used as a part of an overall plan that will include some type of exercise, manual therapy, and education. Dry needling is used to increase range of motion and decrease swelling, reduce muscle tightness or decrease scar tissue.

Dry needling may also treat:

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• Joint problems

• Disk problems

• Post-Operative conditions 

• Swelling

• Tendinitis

• Migraine and tension-type headaches

• Jaw and mouth problems (such as temporomandibular joint disorders or TMD)

• Whiplash

• Repetitive motion disorders (like carpal tunnel syndrome)

• Spinal problems

• Chronic pain

• Night cramps

• Phantom pain

• Post-herpetic neuralgia (pain left behind by shingles)

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Dr. Vickie Dills has been certified in dry needling for over 10 years.  She has taken a number of advanced dry needling courses since her initial certification.  In addition, she has functioned as a teaching assistant for dry needling courses in several states.

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Call today to schedule a consultation to see if dry needling may be beneficial to you!

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