What is Dry Needling you ask! No, it is not acupuncture or in anyway like it other than the needles we use. The technique of dry needling uses small sterile acupuncture needles that are placed directly into trigger points otherwise known as knots in your muscles!

Definition

Direct quote from Dr. David Fishkin. the man that introduced me to this technique and taught me how to safely perform dry needling on my patients.

"Myofascial trigger point dry needling (MFTrPDN) is a treatment to restore proper function to abnormally behaving muscles. Nodules, or knots, and tight bands that develop in the muscle create localized pain or send pain signals to other locations. The affected muscles become locked and cannot function normally, which restricts movement and causes chronic pain.

Nodules develop from overuse, trauma, poor posture, lack of exercise, sleep disturbances, vitamin deficiencies, joint arthritis or nerves compressed at the spine and other locations. These painful areas contain biochemicals that cause pain to the local nerves and decreased oxygen flow, or ischemia, which causes the muscle fibers to lock.

Of the many treatment methods applied to painful muscles, none are quite as effective – fast acting and long lasting – as MFTrPDN. It short-circuits the vicious pain cycle in a very direct way that other methods cannot accomplish. The muscle contracture releases to its normal length, circulation is improved, swelling receded and the pain-causing biochemicals disperse, eliminating their noxious effect on local nerves.

Dry needling utilizes sterile, thin monofilament needles, and relief is often rapid with a reduction in pain and improved function."

Who Benefits

I have used dry needling for a variety of conditions and symptoms. I have found that migraine patients see great improvement and often complete resolution after dry needling and adjustments. Athletes, of all variety from swimmers to crossfitters, powerlifters, golfers and so on experience great results with not only pain but range of motion and flexibility after a few sessions of dry needling. Once a soon to be mom has reached full term during her pregnancy, dry needling can bring a great deal of relief to their low back discomfort. This is just a short list of examples of the benefits of dry needling and who can benefit from the procedure.

What To Expect

You will be positioned in a comfortable position on the chiropractic table with the area being treated exposed only. The area will then be wiped down with alcohol. As stated early, the needles used are individually wrapped in sterile ackages. Each needle is in its own separate clear plastic tube. The needles will be inserted one at a time. During the process you MAY feel a burning sensation or an achiness with possible radiating but in general the technique is very tolerable. Once a few needles have been placed in position the general feedback is usually "This isn't as bad as I thought!" The needles stay in 5-10 minutes before they are removed. Each patient is given literature with all the possible and common symptoms that could come up and instructions for after care. Drinking water is key to removing the toxins, that were released with the break down of the trigger points. from the system to prevent any soreness after!

Most insurance companies cover the procedure!

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