Dry Needling

Dry Needling is a technique that uses filiform needles (dry needles) and inserts them into trigger points found in a persons muscles.

The term “dry” is used because the needles are small stainless steel needles that do not inject anything into the skin, and are not laced with any sort of medication. The therapy is the needle its self that acts as a stimulant.

Dry Needling is also known as intramuscular stimulation, or trigger point therapy. It has been adopted as a modern western technique for pain relief, and is backed up with research. Trigger point therapy/ dry needling has also been embraced by the acupuncture community, and is often referred to as sports acupuncture. Any acupuncturist who specializes in sports acupuncture can be considered an expert dry needler.

Trigger points are found in muscles, and are points that are tender to compression. Trigger point therapy is also known as myofascial trigger point therapy/ release, or neuromuscular trigger point therapy/ release. Trigger points are often a result of trauma to the muscle fibers, and often cause the muscle to contract and release, relieving pain and tension in the painful muscle.

Dry Needling is effective for treating any type of pain condition. Some pain conditions that people seek care for are:

  • Pain due to auto injury Headaches and Migraines
  • Neck Pain (chronic or acute)
  • Low Back Pain (chronic or acute)
  • Sciatica
  • TMJ
  • Sports Injury
  • Osteoarthritis