Dry Needling
A therapeutic technique used by physical therapists, dry needling is the insertion of thin needles into compromised muscles to deactivate trigger points, improve movement, or relieve knotted or tight areas. At Munger Physical Therapy, dry needling is used for qualified clients who strive to minimize pain and improve mobility.
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How Dry Needling Works
Every client’s physical therapy plan is designed to benefit their unique challenges and limitations. Multiple modalities can be combined to create the most beneficial routine, recovery, and healing, and that includes intricate practices like dry needling. Here’s how it works:
• Super-thin needles are carefully inserted into the targeted areas.
• Dysfunctional muscle fibers are reset to increase blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients.
• Unwanted inflammatory elements are flushed out.
• Tight muscle fibers are lengthened.
• Nerve fibers are stimulated to minimize pain.
Practitioners of dry needling recognize the local twitch response, which is a quick and involuntary contraction that indicates the muscle is stimulated and responding to treatment. We carefully observe each movement to ensure the optimal response which is pain relief and improved range of motion.
Schedule An AppointmentDry Needling Is Different Than Acupuncture
Dry needling and acupuncture look like similar practices, but the treatments differ. Though they are both therapeutic modalities that offer pain relief, dry needling is more appropriate in a physical therapy setting because it:
- Targets myofascial trigger points (not the body’s energy).
- Uses dry needles to stimulate tight, irritable muscles.
- Relieves muscle tension and pain.
- Is a component of evidence-based physical therapy (not traditional Chinese medicine).
Conditions Treated by Dry Needling
Dry needling is a versatile physical therapy treatment often used on clients who suffer from pain and musculoskeletal afflictions including:
- Migraines and tension headaches.
- Back pain.
- Neck pain.
- Shoulder dysfunction.
- Muscle strain.
- Chronic pain.
- Joint and tendon problems.
- Plantar fasciitis.
- Sports injuries.
- Achilles tendonitis.
- TMJ pain.
Dry needling serves as a powerful counterpart to a comprehensive physical therapy plan and accelerates recovery. Alongside manual physical therapy, strengthening exercises, stretching, and more, problems can be addressed and stopped from recurring with a customized dry needling plan.
Call Us NowThe Act of Dry Needling
An injury may be in one part of the body and pain may appear in several locations. Your physical therapist assesses and palpates the muscle to locate the exact trigger points to make dry needling as targeted as possible.
- Sterile needles are inserted into the muscle.
- Placement is superficial or deep, depending on the circumstances.
- Your physical therapist observes to elicit a twitch response or leaves the needle in place briefly.
- A brief ache or cramp may occur, but the feeling passes quickly.
- A feeling of post-exercise fatigue may be experienced post-treatment.
Is Dry Needling Right for You?
As with every type of physical therapy treatment, your licensed and trained practitioner will determine if dry needling is right for you and the injury or pain you are experiencing before recommending this type of care. Dry needling is typically not appropriate for people who have a compromised immune system, bleeding disorders, active infection, are pregnant, or who suffer from needle phobia.
If dry needling is determined to be an appropriate treatment, you will ideally experience short-term improvements, including pain relief, improved range of motion, and better muscle tone, especially when combined with other therapies.
Get Dry Needling Treatment at Munger Physical Therapy
Munger Physical Therapy is conveniently located in three locations in Michigan – Clinton Township, Fort Gratiot, and Marysville. If you are interested in learning more about the benefits and possibilities of dry needling, or believe this therapy or other type of treatment could help your pain or injury, please contact us to schedule an appointment.
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