Here at Purcellville Orthopedic PT, dry needling is used as an excellent way to treat neuromuscular dysfunction from myofascial trigger points
Dry Needling is a general term for a therapeutic treatment procedure that involves multiple advances of a filament needle into the muscle in the area of the body which there is pain and typically contains a ‘Trigger Point’. There is no injectable solution and typically the needle which is used is very thin.
What can dry needling treat?
Dry needling is an effective treatment for acute and chronic pain, rehabilitation from injury, and even pain and injury prevention, with very few side effects. This technique is unequaled in finding and eliminating neuromuscular dysfunction that leads to pain and functional deficits. It is a very quick and effective treatment that tends to result in shorter rehabilitation times as it can restore normal myofascial mobility quite quickly. It can help with deactivating the trigger point, thereby reducing pain and restoring normal length and function of the involved muscle.
What does dry needling feel like?
Most patients will not even feel the needle penetrate the skin, but once it has and is advanced into the muscle, the feeling of discomfort can vary from patient to patient. Usually a healthy muscle feels very little discomfort with insertion of the needle; however, if the muscle is sensitive and shortened or has active trigger points within it, the subject may feel a sensation much like a muscle cramp — which is often referred to as a ‘twitch response’. The twitch response also has a biochemical characteristic to it which likely affects the reaction of the muscle, symptoms, and response of the tissue.
How long does it take for results?
Typically positive results are apparent within 2-4 treatment sessions but can vary depending on the cause and duration of the symptoms, overall health of the patient, and experience level of the practitioner.
Come visit us to see if you could benefit from Dry needling!
Purcellville Orthopedic Physical Therapy
850-C East Main St, Purcellville, VA, 20132
Call us at: (540) 751-1970 or visit www.physicaltherapypurcellville.com for more details
