Dry needling is a technique that helps ease muscle tightness and pain and improves range of motion. Dry needling involves placing a small, thin needle (much thinner than a needle for injections) into a muscle at the trigger point or the surrounding area. It is called "dry" needling because there is no medication being injected.
During dry needling you may feel muscle soreness, aching and a muscle twitch. The needles can be placed deeply or superficially for varying periods of time depending on the desired treatment effect.
Dry needling is very different from acupuncture. During acupuncture, needles are inserted into the skin at energy points on the body which promotes the rebalancing of energy flow.
You may benefit from dry needling if you answer yes to any of the following:
-muscle tightness that doesn't go away with stretches
-area of your body with limited range of motion
-have chronic pain that has lasted longer than 3 months
I use dry needling to compliment the hands-on work and exercises I give my patients. The most common conditions I use dry needling for are neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, tennis/golfers elbow, hip pain, knee pain and plantar fasciitis.
Lauren DeYoe
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Reiki Master
Owner Reiki PT
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