Dry needling involves the insertion of a fine filament needle into neuromuscular junctions /motor points, stimulating the muscles, and bringing unbelievable pain relief and significantly improved function to athletes and patients who have been suffering for years.
There is no injectable solution and the needle which is used is very thin. Most patients will not even feel the needle penetrate the skin, but once advanced into the muscle, the patient may have a sensation like a muscle cramp – which is often referred to as a “twitch response”. The twitch response results in deactivating the trigger point, thereby reducing pain and restoring normal length and function to the involved muscle.
Typically positive results are apparent within 2-4 treatment sessions but may vary depending on cause and duration of the symptoms and overall health of the patient. 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.
Dry needling may also be used for many acute, chronic and sports related injuries such as:
- Muscular hematomas
- Muscle strains/tears
- Compartment syndrome
- Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints)
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Impingement syndrome
- Tennis/golfer’s elbow
- Piriformis syndrome
- Cervicogenic headaches
- Sciatica
- Hamstring issues
- IT band syndrome
- Patellar Femoral Syndrome
- Patellar tendonitis
- Achilles tendonopathies
- Plantar fasciitis
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Back pain: A common cause of nerve irritation and neuropathic pain is underlying spinal degeneration (i.e. spondylosis of the spine), which can be a result of trauma and/or normal wear and tear. Spondylosis irritates the nerve root and leads to neuropathy which can result in muscle shortening. This process leads to pain and dysfunction in many common acute and chronic conditions that practitioners see in their everyday patient population. The introduction of a dry needle into the active trigger sites of these muscles can provide enormous relief of symptoms.
Miller Orthopedic Specialists own physical therapist, Joshua Blintz, PT, DPT, is now providing Dry Needling Therapy as a treatment option. Call 712-323-5333 to schedule an appointment for a consultation.
