Functional Dry needling
What is Dry Needling?
The American Physical Therapy Association definition includes; “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. Dry needling is a technique used to treat dysfunctions in skeletal muscle, fascia, and connective tissue, and, diminish persistent peripheral nociceptive input, and reduce or restore impairments of body structure and function leading to improved activity and participation.
How does Dry Needling work?
Dry Needling works in a variety of ways depending on the problem. It is used to treat myofascial trigger points, hyperirritable points where actin and myosin are stuck in a contracted state. Is it used to treat tendinopathies to facilitate the inflammatory response and allow the tissue to progress through the stages of healing. Dry Needling is also used in conjunction with electrical stimulation to both facilitate muscle contractions, as well as provide pain relief, when passing the electrical stimulation through the metal needle into the underlying tissue.
Is Dry Needling Acupuncture?
No. Dry Needling is based on Neuroanatomy and Physiology stemming from Western Medicine while Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, involving Qi, Meridians, and Tongues. The only thing similar is the tool; much as the physical therapist may use a stethoscope or a blood pressure cuff, different professionals frequently use the same tools. “No one profession actually owns a skill or activity in and of itself. Furthermore, “health care education and practice have developed in such a way that most professions today share some procedures, tools, or intervention, tool, or modality.
Is Dry Needling Effective?
Yes. For example, a recent systematic review included 19 highly qualified randomized controlled trials found that Dry Needling was effective for improving pain, range of motion and functional outcomes.
Is Dry Needling a standalone treatment?
No. It is just another tool in a PT’s tool belt. It is combined with traditional Physical Therapy techniques to decrease pain and increase function.
The American Physical Therapy Association definition includes; “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. Dry needling is a technique used to treat dysfunctions in skeletal muscle, fascia, and connective tissue, and, diminish persistent peripheral nociceptive input, and reduce or restore impairments of body structure and function leading to improved activity and participation.
How does Dry Needling work?
Dry Needling works in a variety of ways depending on the problem. It is used to treat myofascial trigger points, hyperirritable points where actin and myosin are stuck in a contracted state. Is it used to treat tendinopathies to facilitate the inflammatory response and allow the tissue to progress through the stages of healing. Dry Needling is also used in conjunction with electrical stimulation to both facilitate muscle contractions, as well as provide pain relief, when passing the electrical stimulation through the metal needle into the underlying tissue.
Is Dry Needling Acupuncture?
No. Dry Needling is based on Neuroanatomy and Physiology stemming from Western Medicine while Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, involving Qi, Meridians, and Tongues. The only thing similar is the tool; much as the physical therapist may use a stethoscope or a blood pressure cuff, different professionals frequently use the same tools. “No one profession actually owns a skill or activity in and of itself. Furthermore, “health care education and practice have developed in such a way that most professions today share some procedures, tools, or intervention, tool, or modality.
Is Dry Needling Effective?
Yes. For example, a recent systematic review included 19 highly qualified randomized controlled trials found that Dry Needling was effective for improving pain, range of motion and functional outcomes.
- Boyles R, Fowler R, Ramsey D, Burrows E. Effectiveness of trigger point dry needling for multiple body regions: a systematic review. J Man Manip Ther. 2015;23(5):276-293. Doi:10.1179/2042618615Y.0000000014
Is Dry Needling a standalone treatment?
No. It is just another tool in a PT’s tool belt. It is combined with traditional Physical Therapy techniques to decrease pain and increase function.