Dry Needling

Dry Needling (IDN), also known as trigger point dry needling (TDN).

Dry needling is a safe, effective and efficient treatment used to:

• Release and deactivate myofascial trigger points
• Relax and restore muscle tone and function
• Decrease muscle tone, improve muscle length
• Increase vasodilation while lowering pain receptor sensitivity

Dry needling involves the insertion, manipulation, and at times electric stimulation of a “dry”, solid filiform needle in a trigger point to produce an involuntary local twitch response (LTR) through the spinal cord reflex. The resulting muscular relaxation is due to the release of hyper-tone bands of (tight) muscle fibers muscles or the activation of under-active (weak) muscles. Deactivation of these trigger points can bring immediate relief of symptoms allowing the client to exercise within their newly gained pain-free mobility.

Dry Needling compared to Acupuncture

Dry needling is only similar to acupuncture in the sense that a dry, solid filament needle is inserted and manipulated under the skin to release endorphins and serum cortisol for pain relief. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Dry needling is not within the theoretical framework of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the purpose of altering or balancing the flow of Qi or energy along traditional Chinese. Dry needling is within the scope and guidelines of western physical therapy practice, based on modern neuroanatomy and the scientific study of the neuromuscular system.

Dry Needling Treatment of Various Conditions

Dry needling has successfully been used to treat a variety of conditions including:

• Headaches, Neck and Jaw Pain – including whiplash, tension headaches / temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction degenerative joint/disc disease or osteoarthritis
• Shoulder Pain – including rotator cuff tears, bursitis, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), tendonitis, thoracic outlet and impingement syndrome
• Elbow Pain – including medial (golfer’s elbow) and lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) 
• Hand Wrist Pain – including carpal tunnel, gamer’s thumb, DeQuervain’s syndrome and osteoarthritis
• Back Pain – such as muscle spasms, lumbar degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis
• Hip / Knee Pain – including patellar tendonitis, IT band syndrome, hamstring strains and osteoarthritis
• Shin / Ankle / Foot Pain – including plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints and metatarsalgia
• Athletic and Sports overuse Injuries
• Post-trauma Injuries, Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA), and Work Injuries
• Chronic Pain Conditions – including fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome (MPS)
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Dr. Anthony Pribila is double certified in dry needling.