What is dry needling and is it right for
me?
While the name of the procedure may sound intimidating, dry
needling or trigger point dry needling is safe, with minimal discomfort. It is an effective technique for patients with certain musculoskeletal conditions.
Dry needling is a treatment performed by skilled, trained doctors, certified in
the procedure. Dr. Richardson is Certified in Master Dry Needling Level 1.
A thin mono-filament needle penetrates the skin and treats
underlying muscular trigger points for the management of neuromusculoskeletal
pain and movement impairments.
So, what is a trigger point? A trigger point is a local
contracture or tight band in a muscle fiber that can disrupt function, restrict
range of motion, refer pain or cause local tenderness. When dry needling is
applied to a dysfunctional muscle or trigger point, it can decrease banding or
tightness, increase blood flow, and reduce local and referred pain.
Dry needling is not the same as acupuncture. It uses similar
tools, but that’s where the similarities end. Dry needling is performed by
different practitioners with different training. Acupuncture is based on
Eastern medicine, while dry needling is rooted in Western medicine and
evaluation of pain patterns, posture, movement impairments, function and
orthopedic tests.
Dry needling treats muscle tissue, and its goal is to reduce
pain, inactivate trigger points and restore function. Dry needling can be used
for a wide variety of musculoskeletal issues, such as shoulder, neck, heel, hip
and back pain. Research indicates dry needling is a safe and effective approach
for treating and managing pain.
