Physical Therapy is preformed using a variety of therapeutic techniques
that are intended to decrease recovery time and improve a person’s
mobility, functionality and quality of life. Trigger Point Dry Needling
(TDN) is one little-known technique used- and though it sounds intimidating
Matt O’Neill PT, DPT, OCS, CEAS I, a physical therapist at CVMC’s
Center for Rehabilitation, says his patients have seen great results.
Linsday Lewis was still experiencing neck pain after a car crash that happened
last year. She had multiple CT scans and MRIs of her head and neck to
check for damage, but everything seemed normal and her neurosurgeon couldn’t
find the cause of her pain. It was then that Lindsay’s physician
recommended she look into this dry needling treatment.
“Trigger points are a common underlying cause of acute and chronic
musculoskeletal pain, yet it’s often overlooked and ignored,”
explains Matt. “For example, they can mimic or even be the cause
of the pain of common chronic conditions like – tension headaches,
tendinitis, low back pain, neck pain, sciatica and pain in the wrist,
arm, hip or leg.”
Because trigger points aren’t visible in an x-ray, ultrasound, MRI
or Cat Scan, it was Matt, Board Certified in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
and qualified in TDN, who was able to identify the source of Lindsay’s
pain. “The base of my skull, my neck, and my upper shoulders were constantly aching.
I tried regular physical therapy, multiple neck exercises, chiropractic
adjustments and muscle relaxers, but nothing helped or decreased the pain,”
says Lindsay. “ I was in constant pain for 10 months until I sought
out dry needling. My sessions ended a few weeks ago and I have noticed
that my pain level is practically nonexistent.”
What is Trigger Point Dry Needling?
A tiny, filiform needle is inserted into your skin into the portion of
the muscle where the trigger points (knotted up muscle) are located. When
the needle touches the trigger point the muscle may twitch and reset itself.
Does it hurt?
Little to no pain is experienced during the procedure.“I am not a fan of needles and was anxious over the treatment, but
I was surprised to note that I didn’t feel the needle going into
my skin,” describes Lindsay. “The only side effect I had was
soreness for a few days that felt like I had worked out at the gym too
hard.”
How soon do you see results?
Almost immediately,Lindsay reports, ”I experienced a decrease in pain after the treatment,
and a few days later when the soreness went away I noticed a major difference
in my pain level.”
Interested in Learning More About Dry Needling?
Please call the
Center for Rehabilitation at Catawba Valley Medical Center at 828.326.2131 to find out how you may
be evaluated to see if you’re a candidate for TDN or if you have
any questions about the treatment.