Effective July 24, 2023
Dry Needling
Other terms used to describe dry needling include:
Trigger point dry needling.
Intramuscular manual therapy.
Dry needling is not acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine performed by acupuncturists. Dry needling is a part of modern Western medicine and is supported by research.
What Is a Trigger Point?
A trigger point is a taut band of skeletal muscle within a larger muscle group. Trigger points can be tender to the touch. Touching a trigger point may refer pain to other parts of the body.
What Kind of Needles Are Used?
Dry needling involves a thin filiform needle. The needle penetrates the skin and stimulates underlying myofascial trigger points and muscular and connective tissues. The needle allows a physical therapist to target tissues they are not able to reach with their hands.
Physical therapists wear gloves and personal protective equipment when dry needling. The used sterile needles are disposed of in a medical collector.
As part of their entry-level education, physical therapists are well educated in anatomy and treatment of the body. Physical therapists who perform dry needling obtain specific postgraduate education and training.
We are physical therapy experts using hands-on, manual physical therapy, and assessment skills to treat your injury or pain. Our techniques include Blood Flow Restriction Therapy, Dry Needling, Laser Therapy, and Graston® Technique.