Dry Needling

What is trigger point dry needling?  Every muscle in the body needs to contract at times and relax at times.  When a muscle is overused, certain fibers within that muscle remain in a state of contraction and lose the ability to generate force or allow lengthening.  These shortened, thickened regions of the muscle are termed trigger points.  They receive less blood flow and nutrients and can become painful.  They are palpable as "knots."  Traditionally, therapists would use finger pressure on these knots to alleviate some of the associated pain.  Recently, traditional trigger point therapy has been upgraded through the use of small metal wire filaments called needles.   These "dry needles" are used to release excess chemicals located within the trigger points.  This causes an instant, full contraction of the involved muscle fibers followed by a full relaxation.  While this is temporarily uncomfortable, it is extremely effective in reducing the palpable knots and associated pain.