What is Functional Dry Needling
 

       Functional Dry Needling involves the insertion of a thin solid filament needle.  The needle is inserted into a muscle used to treat pain, trigger points, muscle spasms, Limited range of motion, inhibition of weak muscles, chronic pain issues, the athletic population, and swelling.  Functional dry needling is a procedure to help “reset” your pain and muscle function. 

 

 

Frequently asked questions:

 

 

Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?

 

       No. Dry needling uses the same tool as acupuncture though is a different treatment.  Dry needling is a western medical based treatment focused on pain and musculoskeletal dysfunction aimed at specific anatomical structures.  In contrast, acupuncture is base on an eastern medicine based approach including treatment of meridians, qi, and a wide variety of ailments that is not used and treated in dry needling.  

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What is a trigger point?

 

       A trigger point is a spot in the muscle that can feel like a hard knot or spasm.  These points may feel locally achey and or sharp.  Pressing or “palpating” the trigger point can radiate pain to areas away from the trigger point and reproduce your specific pain such as headaches or pain down your arm.  A trigger point has been shown to have:

• Abnormal increase in local electrical activity

• Decreased blood flow

• Collection of chemical mediators involved in pain including H+ ions,                                                   bradykinins, calcitonin related gene peptide, substance P and more.

     

• Trigger points can be involved in shoulder pain, back pain, hip pain,                                                             headaches, plantar foot pain and more.  

 

What causes trigger points?

 

Trigger points and muscle imbalances can occur from chronic postural strain, overuse of a muscle, underuse or sedentary lifestyle, and psychosocial factors such as stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. 

 

Are trigger points normal?

    

Trigger points are normal in the body and everyone has them.  A trigger point becomes abnormal when it causes pain at rest and or radiates pain to an area distal (away from) the trigger point.  This is the difference between a “latent” trigger point which is not painful at rest, and an “active” trigger point which causes pain at rest and may radiate discomfort to other areas of the body. 

 

What are your qualifications to perform dry needling?

 

I am a Certified Functional Dry Needling Specialist through                                                                         Evidence In Motion. The coursework involved practice and                                                                               instruction under supervision of specialists, with a culminating                                                                      examination for safety and proficiency in technique.                                                                                   Certification included intensive coursework of Level 1 and                                                                                     Level 2 dry needling, FDN with special patient populations,                                                                                    Case applications, and a Capstone Project totaling 119 contact                                                                           H hours which I completed over several years. 

 

Is dry needling safe?

 

Dry needling is generally considered safe.  Risk of infection is in the magnitude of .001%.  I use medically sterile needles which are not re-used, gloves, rubbing alcohol to clean the skin, and safe handling to mitigate any risk.  Risk of any specific procedure will be discussed in your session. 

 

What can I expect to feel?

 

    The insertion of the needle may feel like a light tap to the skin and when done properly should not feel sharp.  You may then experience a aching discomfort and what is called a twitch response of the muscle.  This is a beneficial response in which the muscle involuntarily contracts and then relaxes.  After a twitch response in the muscle patients often report decreased pain, improved ROM, and reduction of their symptoms.  The after effects of dry needling may include soreness similar to a delay onset muscle soreness after exercise for up 24 to 48 hours, though some people do not experience this.