I’m a Physical Therapist, and These Are 3 Reasons Why I Swear By Dry Needling For My Patients

When someone comes to physical therapy, what exactly are they looking for? The likely answer is to feel better in the quickest amount of time possible. As a new physical therapist, I often opted for manual therapy techniques to help relieve muscle tightness for my patients. Then, I started to add an instrument-assisted technique called Graston to the mix. I later learned about dry needling from my manager, and I saw many of my patients benefit from adding dry needling to their plan of care. What exactly is dry needling, though? And is it right for you?

Dry needling uses mono-filament needles (really skinny ones) to target trigger points in muscles that cause tightness and decreased strength. A trigger point is a ball of tight muscle. This ball of muscle has a buildup of chemicals inside of it compared to the rest of your body. This tight ball does not allow the muscle to produce the full potential of its strength. When the needle hits a trigger point, it causes a “twitch response” or a muscle contraction. This is what we want!

So, why do I swear by dry needling for my patients?

1.  It can support quicker improvements in pain symptoms.
2.  It can help with improved range of motion and decreased tightness.
3.  It can improve strength by increasing the ability for the muscle fibers to be recruited to their full capacity.

I have seen great results treating patients with dry needling. It’s important to note that the best results often come from using dry needling in addition to physical therapy, which can focus on improving strength, mobility, and function. You’ll be one step closer to your health and wellness goals by leveraging a combination of the two!

Schedule a free assessment if you’d like to learn more about dry needling. One of our team members can assess your current condition and recommend the best treatment plan. Free assessments are available in person at one of our clinic locations and virtually through our telehealth platform.

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*Per federal guidelines, beneficiaries of plans such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VHA and other federally funded plans are not eligible for free assessments.

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