Dry needling is a physical therapy treatment that involves penetrating the skin with thin, sterile needles. This technique allows us to target muscular trigger points. Trigger points are tight bands of skeletal muscle that form due to repetitive, prolonged contraction, such as clenching your muscles in response to stress and anxiety. These knots can cause pain and limit movement, as well as affect sleep. When properly administered, dry needling can be very effective in decreasing pain and restoring mobility.
During a dry needling session, your provider will insert the needle into a muscle or group of muscles that are painful and tense. This may cause a quick spasm in the muscle, called a local twitch response. This is a good sign that the muscle is responding and the treatment is working. After a series of sessions, most people notice improved pain and mobility.
Physical therapists are always looking for new and innovative ways to help patients feel better. Dry needling is an emerging modality that uses the therapeutic benefits of the body’s natural healing processes to treat musculoskeletal issues and improve function.
Rachel, a 38 year old Jiu-Jitsu athlete and analyst, was experiencing low back pain. She was unable to climb stairs or walk upstairs and had difficulty practicing her sport because of her lumbar radiculopathy. After two years of traditional physical therapy and acupuncture, she was referred to us for dry needling and after only one session, she reported that she was able to move her big toe for the first time in 2 years. dry needling north canton
