Dry Needling

Why Dry Needling?

Dry Needling (DN) is a technique our physical therapists use for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain, trigger points, and movement impairments. The technique uses a thin filiform needle, one without medication or injection, inserted through the skin into areas of the muscle.

DN is used with the goal of releasing or deactivating trigger points to relieve pain or improve range of motion. Preliminary research supports that dry needling improves pain control, reduces muscle tension, and normalizes dysfunctions of the motor end plates, the sites at which nerve impulses are transmitted to muscles. This can help speed up your return to normal activities.

DN is not acupuncture. The methodology, purpose, desired benefits, and treatment approach are vastly different to that of acupuncture. Acupuncture is steeped in Eastern medicine; DN is based on Western medicine, physiology and knowledge of anatomy.

Trigger Point

A trigger point is a taut band of skeletal muscle located within a large muscle group. Trigger points can be tender to touch causing pain locally, but can also refer pain into neighboring tissues.

Physical therapists are well educated in anatomy and therapeutic treatment of the body. Our Physical therapists at Fort HealthCare who perform DN have received additional specific postgraduate education and training to perform Dry Needling.