Dry Needling
Dry needling is a safe treatment technique that involves the application of a monofilament (very thin) needle into the muscle to help resolve pain, muscle tension, and promote healing. It is often used with electrical stimulation which helps to restore normal muscle function, increase range of motion, and improve musculoskeletal pain.
Who will benefit from dry needling?
Dry needling can be helpful to anyone who has tight or over used muscles. This includes athletes and non-athletes alike: runners, yogis, weekend warriors, office workers, and anyone with jobs requiring repetitive motion. Some conditions that respond well to dry needling include tendinopathies or overuse injuries such as Achilles tendinopathy, ITB syndrome, patellar tendinopathy, tennis elbow etc, knee pain (patellofemoral pain syndrome), neck pain and headaches, and chronic muscle strains.
What can I expect with dry needling?
The area of the muscle is wiped with an alcohol swab to prevent infection, and a sterile monofilament needle is applied to the muscle or trigger point. The muscle twitches as it releases, so you can expect to feel this odd but not necessarily painful sensation. It is likely that the muscle will be sore after the procedure for 12-24 hours. Sometimes bruising can occur. Typically, patients also participate in other treatments before or after to help progress the rehab process.
How do I get started?
Give our office a call. Emily Briganti PT, DPT, is our clinician that is certified in Functional Dry Needling. She will assess your condition, determine if you are a good candidate, and advise you on how best to proceed. If you’re interested in dry needling treatment, call us for pricing. No prescription is necessary.