What is dry needling?
Myofascial trigger point dry needling (MFTrPDN) is a treatment to restore proper function to abnormally behaving muscles. Nodules, or knots, and tight bands that develop in the muscle create localized pain or send pain signals to other locations. The affected muscles become *locked* and cannot function normally, which restricts movement and causes chronic pain.
Nodules develop from overuse, trauma, poor posture, lack of exercise, sleep disturbances, vitamin deficiencies, joint arthritis or nerves compressed at the spine and other locations. These painful areas contain biochemicals that cause pain to the local nerves and decreased oxygen flow, or *ischemia*, which causes the muscle fibers to lock.
Of the many treatment methods applied to painful muscles, none are quite as effective – fast acting and long lasting – as MFTrPDN. It short-circuits the vicious pain cycle in a very direct way that other methods cannot accomplish. The muscle contracture releases to its normal length, circulation is improved, swelling recedes and the pain-causing biochemicals disperse, eliminating their noxious effect on local nerves.
Dry needling utilizes sterile, thin monofilament needles, and relief is often rapid with a reduction in pain and improved function.