What is it? Dry needling is a highly effective form of physical therapy for the treatment of a multitude of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. It is not appropriate for all conditions or pathologies and the use of the technique will be at the discretion of your physical therapist.
How does it work? Dry needling is NOT acupuncture (traditional Chinese medicine); it is based on neuro-anatomy and modern scientific study of the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. A very fine filament needle is inserted through the skin and into the deeper tissues that are considered trigger points to your pain. Dry needling works by causing a microlesion within the pathological tissue thus breaking up shortened tissues, inhibiting a reflex arc from the nervous system to the tissue, normalizing the inflammatory response, and centrally mediating the pain. This mechanical and neuromuscular effect provides an environment that enhances the body’s ability to heal which ultimately reduces pain.
What conditions can be treated? Conditions include, but are not limited to neck, back, shoulder arm pain (tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, golfer’s elbow), headache to include secondary effects of migraine and tension-type headaches, jaw pain, buttock pain and leg pain (sciatica, hamstring strains, calf tightness/spasms, etc).
Who at New Life can perform Dry Needling Services? All New Life Physical Therapists are certified to provide dry needling services to patients. Our therapists are trained through Kineticore, Myopain, and the Integrative Dry Needling Institute.
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