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What is Functional Dry Needling?

Functional Dry Needling (FDN) is a technique physical therapists use to treat pain and movement impairments. The physical therapist inserts a "dry" needle, (one without medication or injection), into specific areas of the muscle. Functional Dry Needling (FDN) addresses whole body function by placing needles strategically in tissues for maximal impact on one or more systems to address physical impairments, motor impairments and sensory experiences within a movement and neurological framework.

Dry needling is NOT acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine performed by acupuncturists. Dry needling is a part of modern Western medicine and is supported by research.

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) defines dry needling as:

 "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. It is a technique used to treat dysfunctions in skeletal muscle, fascia, and connective tissue, and to diminish persistent peripheral nociceptive (pain) input, and reduce or restore impairments in body structure and function, leading to improved activity and participation."

Why Dry Needling?

Dry needling can release or inactivate trigger points to relieve pain or improve range of motion. When a needle is inserted into the muscle, effects have been observed in the local tissue, the spinal cord, and the brain. Research suggests that dry needling improves pain control and reduces muscle tension. Study findings also show that dry needling can normalize dysfunctions of the motor end plates, from which nerve impulses get transmitted to muscles. This can help speed up the patient's return to active rehab. When physical therapists use dry needling, it is typically part of a larger treatment plan.

What are the physiological effects of dry needling?

We meet for multiple follow-up examinations to assess your progress.

Duration: 45-60 minutes

During follow-up examinations, your physical therapist will reassess your progress each time. If you are improving as expected, great! We may advance your treatment plan to the next stage. If you are improving slower than we would like, we will certainly update your treatment plan to find the best way to have you feeling like your best self, quicker. Although we love getting to work with you one on one, we want you completing the best exercises for you so that you can feel better, faster. Wouldn't that be nice? Feeling better again?

What is a Trigger Point?

During follow-up examinations, your physical therapist will reassess your progress each time. If you are improving as expected, great! We may advance your treatment plan to the next stage. If you are improving slower than we would like, we will certainly update your treatment plan to find the best way to have you feeling like your best self, quicker. Although we love getting to work with you one on one, we want you completing the best exercises for you so that you can feel better, faster. Wouldn't that be nice? Feeling better again?

What kind of needles are used? What do the needles look like?

We meet for multiple follow-up examinations to assess your progress.

During follow-up examinations, your physical therapist will reassess your progress each time. If you are improving as expected, great! We may advance your treatment plan to the next stage. If you are improving slower than we would like, we will certainly update your treatment plan to find the best way to have you feeling like your best self, quicker. Although we love getting to work with you one on one, we want you completing the best exercises for you so that you can feel better, faster. Wouldn't that be nice? Feeling better again?

Is Dry Needling Safe?

Physical Therapists wear gloves and personal protective equipment when dry needling. Sterile needles and clean technique are used to minimize any infection risk. There are other risk factors to consider, but dry needling is considered a very safe treatment option.

Bottom Line...

Dry needling is an incredible tool to help reset homeostasis in a number of different systems in the body, promoting improved communication throughout your body and overall improved function.

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CONDITIONS WE TREAT

Foot / Ankle:

  • Plantar Fasciitis

  • Achilles Tendonitis

  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Toe Degenerative Joint Disease

  • Ankle Sprain

  • Sesmoid Pain

Knee:

  • ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament)

  • Patellofemeral Pain Syndrome

  • Meniscus Tear

  • Osteoarthristis of the Knee

Hip:​

  • Trochanteric Bursitis

  • Hip Osteoarthritis

  • Hip Strain

  • Avascular Necrosis

Low Back / Sciatica:

  • Disc Herniation with resulting leg pain

  • Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

  • Vertebral Segmental Instability

  • Degenerative Disc Disease

  • Spinal Fracture

Neck / Headaches:

  • Whiplash

  • Spinal Stenosis

  • Cervicogenic Headaches

  • Facet Joint Disorders

  • Disc Herniation with resulting arm pain

  • Spondylosis

Shoulder:

  • Rotator Cuff Tear

  • Shoulder Impingement

  • Shoulder Instability

  • Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder)

Elbow:

  • Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

  • Elbow Dislocation

Wrist / Hand:

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Wrist Sprain

  • Dupuytren's Contracture

Vestibular Patients

  • Vertigo

  • Dizziness

  • Balance impairment

Concussion

We now offer Functional Dry Needling!

This is not a full list of what we treat. If you do not see your condition listed,
call us to see if we can help you get back to feeling great again. 

We treat patients of any age.

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