Dry Needling” is a skilled intervention that uses a thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular, and connective tissues for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments. (APTA)
Basically, dry needling focuses on treating myofascial trigger points, or hypersensitive bands of muscle. Those trigger points or “knots” you feel in your neck, shoulders, hips, or low back may be trigger points that are causing pain and stiffness. These trigger points can refer pain to other areas of the body and limit full range of motion.
The goal of dry needling is to induce a local twitch response in the muscle, which releases the trigger point and allows the knot in the muscle to relax. The needles used are very thin and usually do not provoke any pain during the procedure. Dry needling can be very effective at targeting areas that aren’t reached by other manual therapies. Most patients that have been treated with dry needling can attest to having more relaxed muscles and less pain following the procedure. Apex Network PT has several physical therapists certified to practice dry needling. These therapists have undergone the additional training necessary to safely practice this technique and have achieved the educational requirements established by their state practice guidelines. Please contact your nearest ApexNetwork Physical Therapy clinic to ask about more information.
More on Dry Needling: https://apexnetworkpt.com/services/dry-needling/
