What is Dry Needling?
Integrative dry needling is a safe, effective and efficient treatment for patients suffering from musculoskeletal pain. Through the theory of microcirculation, the goal of the treatment is to improve blood flow to injured, malnourished tissue, effectively restoring the healing process and eliminating pain.
When an injury occurs, the area is saturated with increased blood flow and associated healing agents through the inflammatory process. As conditions become sub-acute and chronic, blood flow will be directed towards more viable, active, and healthy tissue, leaving the injured area tight, malnourished, and painful. By inserting small, thin needles into the tissue, a lesion is created, effectively creating a mild inflammatory process and microcirculation, which is the beginning of the healing process.
Dry needling is also utilized as a treatment technique to release trigger points and eliminate pain. A small, fine-filament needle is inserted into noxious trigger points which have been palpated by the therapist. When inserted, the muscle contracts, then relaxes, effectively releasing the trigger point and associated tightness/pain.
Joseph Poloni PT, DPT, CIDN describes dry needling as “The most effective and efficient physical therapy treatment modality.” Patients often walk away from their first dry needling treatment with significantly reduced pain and improved freedom of movement. Dry needling is often used in conjunction with traditional manual therapy treatments to maximize results.
Dry needling has proven effective in the treatment of a vast array of injuries including:
