What is "Dry Needling"?

Dry Needling is a term used for the application of small-gauge needles to treat myofascial trigger points, tender points and adhesions. The needle is yet another tool that can be used to treat such points; traditionally, chiropractors, massage therapists, osteopaths, acupuncturists, naturopaths, and physical therapists would use various techniques to treat myofascial disturbances. Techniques like myofascial release, manual trigger point therapy, "spray and stretch", active muscular release techniques, various stretching and strengthening regimens and more. needling these point often produces the same beneficial results in less time and less pain.

Recent evidence has shown that these points are localized areas of hyperactive muscle or connective tissues that have numerous inflammatory and pain producing chemicals causing myofascial disturbances. These disturbances are often accompanied by pain and dysfunction of the muscle, consequently irritating local nerve endings as well as decreasing normal movement of the nearby joints enough to limit normal functional activities. Dry needling to these points has been shown to decrease or completely reduce the irritation and to reduce or completely eliminate the disturbances in an active point. This release can immediately improve range of motion, decrease pain and improve function. Patients often feel a significant improvement of their symptoms immediately after the treatment. Dry needling facilitates a hastened return to proper mobility, stability and strengthening and exercises that result in a faster return to function.

The dry needling procedure involves placing a very thin, single use disposable sterile solid filament needle (not hollow) with clean needle technique into a trigger point. The number of needles used during any individual visit and the number of visits you are given this treatment depends on many factors that differ from patient to patient.

Be assured that this procedure is very safe. Most patients do not feel the needle when it is placed and other than a focal muscle twitch or feeling of a subtle muscle cramp around the needle tip, there is little to no pain with this procedure; because the needle being used is very thin, there is usually little to no bleeding either.

For more information on this technique and more or, to schedule an appointment, please call, email or use the contact form in the green sidebar to the right.

NOTE: The Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners decided that dry needling is in the scope of chiropractors in Oregon but in the summer of 2011, they began a legal battle to retain this tool in our scope and as such, it is not performed in this clinic. As soon as the legal battle is settled and they state that chiropractors in Oregon can perform it again, I will be using it with the other tools that I utilize to help you obtain and maintain optimal health and optimum function