Trigger point dry needling

What Is a Trigger Point?

A trigger point is a tender taut band located within a muscle. They are painful to the touch and may even elicit a jump response when palpated.  

They can develop due to physical trauma, repetitive activities, psychological stress, poor posture, and joint dysfunction.  Trigger points can form when you have underlying conditions such as arthritis, RTC tears, sciatica, tennis elbow and more. 

What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a technique used to treat pain and movement impairments from trigger points. It uses a thin filiform "dry" needle, one without medication, inserted directly into the taut band in the muscle.

Dry needling is not acupuncture, a practice based on traditional Chinese medicine and performed by acupuncturists. Dry needling is a part of modern Western medicine principles and supported by research.

Why Dry Needling?

Dry needling can release or inactivate trigger points to relieve pain and improve range of motion. Research supports that dry needling improves pain control, reduces muscle tension, and normalizes dysfunctions at the sites at which nerve impulses are transmitted to muscles. 

This can help speed up your return to activity or decrease your current pain during activity.  

Dry needling is typically one technique that’s part of a larger treatment plan that includes stretching, postural correction and strengthening.