Trigger Point Dry Needling

What is Trigger Point Dry Needling and how does it work?

A trigger point is an area of extreme tenderness associated with a palpable nodule within a muscle. Trigger points can cause localized or referred pain, inhibit muscle function, and decrease muscle strength. The development of trigger points is thought to be due to muscle overload and is often exacerbated by poor posture and repetitive motion.

​

Dry needling is a technique that places solid filament needles into the trigger points to produce a therapeutic reflexive contraction called a local twitch response (LTR). The needles are very thin and rarely felt entering the skin, but will often produce a cramping sensation or discomfort in the referral pattern of the muscle when a LTR is achieved.

​

After the trigger points are resolved, other treatment techniques focusing on neuromuscular re-education, postural re-education, and strengthening will be introduced into the rehabilitation program to restore muscle function and prevent recurrence of dysfunction.

​

Diagnoses in which Dry Needling has been shown to be especially effective:

• Headaches
• Neck and back pain
• Sacroiliac Dysfunction
• Adhesive Capsulitis
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Tendinitis
• Muscle strains
• Fibromyalgia
• Myofascial Pain