Dry Needling Used as Therapy for Trigger Points

Myofascial trigger points. These concentrated areas of deep, burning, chronic pain are among the most common causes of musculoskeletal pain. They’re often described by patients as a “hot, red, palpable knot” in the muscle. If you’ve experienced them before, then you know exactly what we’re talking about. The pain can become so severe that it transmits to other areas of the body adjacent to the trigger point, resulting in achiness, pain, and sometimes even disability that’s felt all over the body.

What to Expect

The usual session goes something like this: First, the trigger point is identified by a trained therapist. Next, a solid filament needle is gently inserted to break the dysfunctional motor endplate in the tightened knot. The needle is then carefully manipulated to achieve a local twitch response, which indicates a successful treatment.

How It Works

Here’s how it works. Insertion of the needle into tissue causes intentional microtrauma, resulting in increased blood flow and oxygen saturation in the area. Oxygenation resumes, allowing for the production of ATP, which is necessary for the unbinding of filaments that play a role in muscle contraction. Muscles with chronic pain often have elevated levels of pain mediators, and needle insertion can stimulate skin nociceptors to activate the pain alleviation system in the central nervous system. This results in the release a natural opioid produced by the body to block certain pain mediators.

Effective Treatment

Trigger point dry needling can be an effective treatment for muscle related pain or spasm associated with conditions such as arthritis, muscle sprain and nerve irritation. Benefits for treatment can include pain reduction, improved mobility and ease of motion. Treatments are safe and effective—there is no medication involved and very little risk of adverse effects.

To find out if you are eligible for treatment, please call 603.689.1687 or click the button below.