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Fight Pain With Dry Needling

October 11, 2019 | Tips & Trends
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Therapist inserting a needle into the back of patient

Did you know some of your pain and tightness may be due in part to trigger points? Did you also know that some physical therapists at Phoenix are certified to perform trigger point dry needling to target these problem areas?

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, dry needling is a technique some physical therapists use for the treatment of pain and movement impairments. The technique uses a “dry” needle, one without medication or injection, inserted through the skin into the muscle. Other terms commonly used to describe it include “Trigger Point Dry Needling” and “Intramuscular Manual Therapy.”

Dry needling is NOT acupuncture, a practice based on traditional Chinese medicine and performed by acupuncturists. Rather, dry needling is a part of modern Western medicine principles and supported by research.

Dry needling is one treatment technique that is part of a larger treatment plan developed by your Phoenix Physical Therapist after their thorough evaluation.

The goal is to release or inactivate the trigger point. One currently supported theory on how this occurs is called the Motor Endplate Hypothesis (1,2).

The motor endplate is the site where the nerves transmit signals to muscles. The needle is theorized to “reset” this area resulting in reduced muscle tension and reduced pain. Often, muscle twitches can be seen or felt. 

Is it painful you ask? Have you ever pushed on a trigger point “knot” yourself? Dry Needling is usually less painful than that. Usually, the needle insertion itself is very mild and often not felt at all. Once the trigger point is contacted, this can feel like an ache or a muscle twitch. This is more of an unfamiliar feeling versus pain. The process can be very quick and often results in treatment success within seconds. Ask your Phoenix Physical Therapist today about this very powerful treatment! 

*The above article was written by Jordon Moore, PT. He is a Physical Therapist and Facility Director at one of our newest locations in Chesapeake, Virginia. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists and is dedicated to the positive progression of Physical Therapy. 

References:

  1. Simons DG, Hong C-Z, Simons LS. Endplate potentials are common to mid fiber myofascial trigger points. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2002;81(3):212-222. 17. 
  2. Simons DG. Review of enigmatic MTrPs as a common cause of enigmatic musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2004;14:95-107.

The entire Phoenix Physical Therapy Team is committed to providing our patients with quality physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy in a safe and healthy clinic environment. We continue to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, WHO and public health officials to update you as new information becomes available. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

The safety of our patients, communities and team members remains our top priority. We know you have a choice in your care providers and appreciate your commitment to Phoenix and our qualified clinicians.

Here are the actions we have taken to keep our patients, communities and team healthy & safe:

  • Flexible scheduling allows for social distancing
  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of all clinic surfaces
  • Facemasks must be worn by all Phoenix staff and are recommended for all patients
  • Screening questionnaire and temperature checks prior to entering clinics
  • 6 feet of social distancing throughout the clinics

Keeping Our Clinics Safe

Here are some tips on how we can keep each other safe:

  • Handwashing is your best self-defense against the spread of germs. When soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, or are experiencing shortness of breath. If a patient shows up with symptoms, the clinic team will work with them to reschedule.
  • Be vigilant. If you have traveled to any of the countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow guidance from the CDC website and our Travel Guidelines.

Here are actions we are taking to keep our clinics clean and safe:

  • Equipment will be wiped down after EVERY use with antibacterial wipes/sprays
  • All surfaces that patients or staff may touch including door handles, countertops, seating, pens at sign-in, bathroom and all other common areas will be disinfected regularly
  • Treatment tables will be 6 feet apart
  • Team members will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezin
  • Clinics will have hand sanitizer available at the front desk and in the treatment areas
  • Any Phoenix team members who are ill will be asked to stay home
  • We will maintain social distancing between patients in the clinic
  • Caregivers that are bringing a patient to the clinic should wait in their car or come back when the appointment has ended unless necessary (i.e. minor requiring a guardian or for assistance needs)
  • When possible, we will treat patients in private rooms to increase social distancing
  • Any patients that have underlying health issues (i.e. diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) will be given the option to be seen during special clinic hours or can opt to be treated in a private room away from other clinicians and patients
  • All patients should be self-screening before entering the clinic. Our PCCs will perform a secondary screening during the check-in process and before patients enter the clinic including a screening questionnaire and temperature check.
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