Trigger Point Dry Needling
Trigger Point Dry Needling (TDN) is a physical therapy treatment technique that utilizes filament needles to make changes in myofascial trigger points.
Pain can be a nuisance for anyone wanting to maintain an active lifestyle. It could be a sudden onset of sharp pain or a prolonged dull sensation that can interfere with daily activities. In such cases, physical therapy can provide the much-needed relief patients seek. RET offers a unique treatment called trigger point dry-needling physical therapy, a safe and effective way to achieve the relief you seek.
Dry Needling is done in conjunction with physical therapy treatments and is not a stand-alone treatment.
What Is Dry Needling?
Trigger point dry needling is a form of physical therapy that uses a thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying neuromuscular trigger points. This treatment aims to release the tension within the trigger point that may be causing pain, abnormal movement patterns, or chronic tightness.
Dry needling physical therapy should not be confused with acupuncture as it is based on Western medicine principles and targets trigger points found by a physical therapist during an examination. These trigger points could be caused by poor posture, athletic overuse, chronic pain, or trauma-related conditions.
Common Conditions Treated With Dry Needling?
Trigger point dry needling is used to treat a wide range of conditions that involve soft tissue pain, dysfunction, and motor control impairments. These conditions could include whiplash, headaches, plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, sciatica, and lower back pain. This treatment can also be beneficial for athletes who are looking to enhance their physical performance.
At RET, our physical therapists are trained to identify trigger points that could be causing pain and discomfort. By using dry needling, our goal is to eliminate the source of pain, improve the range of motion and reduce the need for pain medication.
What to Expect from Dry Needling by a Physical Therapist
During your session, your physical therapist will identify the trigger point and sterilize the area to be treated. They will then insert the thin filiform needle through the skin and gently stimulate the trigger point until it spontaneously releases. This process may produce a brief twitch response followed by increased blood flow to the area.
After the treatment, it is normal to experience some soreness at the site and sense an increase in mobility. Our physical therapists will work with you to create a customized plan of care that may involve other modalities such as strength training, massage therapy, or stretching.
At RET, we believe that every individual deserves to live life pain-free. Our trigger point dry needling treatment has successfully provided relief for our patients, and it could do the same for you. If you want to learn more about this treatment, you can contact us or schedule an appointment at any of our locations in the King, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom areas today!
To find out which locations offer this treatments, please visit our locations page.