Tired Of Nagging Muscle & Joint Pain? Trigger Point Dry Needling Is The Answer!

Whether you’re a competitive athlete or a weekend warrior, you can’t let muscle pain slow you down.

This new technique for pain management and sports related injuries applies the use of acupuncture needles to deactivate the trigger point (muscle knot), reduce pain and restore normal function to the involved muscle. This innovative technique is successful in treating shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff injuries, tendonitis, whiplash, TMJ disorders, and much more. You can’t afford to live another day in pain! This new physical therapy intervention can get you back to your active lifestyle without missing a beat.

What Exactly is Trigger Point Dry Needling (TDN)?
Trigger Point Dry Needling (TDN) is an effective treatment that uses small, thin needles (acupuncture needles) that are inserted into the muscles at the trigger points that are causing pain referral. The insertion of the needle into the trigger point is meant to disengage the trigger point. By disengaging and desensitizing the trigger point; results should include improved flexibility and diminished symptoms.

What is a Trigger Point?
A trigger point is a local spot located in a taut band of skeletal muscle that often refers pain. Acute trauma or repetitive micro trauma can lead to the formation of trigger points. Symptoms of trigger points are persistent pain that results in a decreased range of motion in the affected muscle or muscles.

What Does Trigger Point Dry Needling Address?
Dry Needling is a form of treatment for muscular tightness and spasm which commonly follows injuries and often accompanies the degenerative processes.  This muscular tightness and spasm will cause compression and irritation of the nerves exiting the spine. When the nerves are irritated, they cause a protective spasm of all the muscles to which they are connected.  This may cause peripheral diagnoses, such as carpel tunnel, tendonitis, osteoarthritis, decreased mobility and chronic pain.

Is Trigger Point Dry Needling- Acupuncture?
The only thing that Dry Needling and Acupuncture share is the needle. Read here to learn more about acupuncture.

Is This Going to Be Painful?
Typically, you do not feel the needle being inserted. You may feel a twitching or cramping in the muscle where the needle is inserted- which signifies the local twitch response. You may also feel referred pain to another area of the body. Though these feelings may be momentarily uncomfortable and somewhat painful- it will only last briefly. You may develop some soreness in the area that was needles- this should go away within the next day or so.

Will My Pain Go Away After One Treatment?
Generally, it takes a few sessions to have a positive effect, though some people can feel an immediate decrease in pain and an increase in mobility.

Should I Expect Any Side Effects?
You may feel sore immediately after treatment; this is normal but does not always occur.  It can also take a few hours or the next day before you feel soreness. The soreness may vary depending on the area of the body that was treated as well as varies person to person. Typically, it feels like you had an intense workout at the gym. Soreness generally lasts 24-48 hours.

It is common to have bruising after treatment; some areas are more likely than others. Some common areas are shoulders, base of neck, head and face, arms and legs. Large bruising rarely occurs, but can.  Use ice to help decrease the bruising. It is common to feel tired, nauseous, emotional, giggly or “loopy”, and/or somewhat “out of it” after treatment. This is a normal response that can last up to an hour or two after treatment. If this lasts beyond a day contact your provider as a precaution.

There are times when treatment may actually make your typical symptoms worse. This is normal. If this continues past the 24 hour – 48 hour window, keep note of it, as this is helpful information and your provider will then adjust your treatment plan based on your report if needed. This does not mean TDN cannot help your condition.