Ashland Physical Therapy offers trigger point dry needling (TDN) for myofascial trigger points. Trigger points are "knots" in your muscles that may cause increased pain. Dry needling is a treatment technique in which a physical therapist inserts a very thin needle into a trigger point to release it. These trigger points can arise in muscles in variety of orthopedic conditions, and can cause limited mobility and strength as well as persistent pain.
The release of a trigger point with TDN will increase blood flow, oxygen, and elevate the pH level in the affected muscle. This can relieve both local and referred pain and improve function, and TDN can be used to assist in the treatment for a variety of both acute and chronic conditions. Dry needling is a separate and different treatment from acupuncture and specifically used to treat trigger points.
Your physical therapist will perform a full musculoskeletal evaluation to determine if TDN will be beneficial for you. TDN may be used as an individual treatment but is often used in conjunction with other physical therapy interventions.
Peter Chang, PT, DPT, OCS received his training for TDN through the Janet G. Travell, M.D. series through Myopain Seminars in Bethesda, Maryland. He uses a conservative, evidence-based approach with TDN. Ask your physical therapist or contact us at (804) 798-1112 to see if dry needling is appropriate for you.
