5 Benefits of Trigger Point Dry Needling (TDN)
Trigger Point Dry-Needling (TDN) is an incredible skill which a Doctor of Physical Therapy can provide for you during multiple stages of rehabilitation. Despite its similarity in appearance to acupuncture, TDN is certainly different but boasts some amazing benefits! TDN can help with improving circulation and decreasing pain, while improving muscle flexibility, motor control and strength!
Several modalities used during a Physical Therapy session are aiming to create a controlled, localized inflammatory process. This will help improve circulation, which in turn promotes healing. While many of these treatments (soft tissue massage, IASTM, cupping, e-stim) are all on the surface of the skin, TDN creates this same phenomenon intra-muscularly with needle penetration! This is one of the main reasons why TDN is the fastest and most effective way a Physical Therapist can influence the target muscle groups during your session.
We always hear clients tell us about how they have “knots” in their muscles. Those knots are referred to as “trigger points”, and can be extremely uncomfortable for extended periods of time. These trigger points are balled up muscle fibers which have been damaged and shortened, unwilling to relax back to its original length. Pain can exist at the physical site of the trigger point, however it may also cause referral pain elsewhere in addition! TDN will be utilized to release those trigger points and encourage the muscle to return to its resting length. This will also promote improved flexibility of the muscle, immediately increasing range of motion post-needling.
In addition to the above improvements, some of the most interesting benefits TDN will offer are improved motor control and strength. When an injury occurs and time goes by, the body has a difficult time firing the appropriate motor units to create a strong contraction on command. Although we feel as though we are using the muscle appropriately, our body will find ways to compensate, which can lead to a prolonged healing time. When we utilize TDN in the rehabilitation process, we can actually reverse that trend and restore the necessary neurodynamics for proper movement patterns. When the needle interacts with the muscle and it is attached to a stimulation unit, the motor pathway is essentially “reset”, allowing the brain to make the appropriate connection to the muscle and recruit all of the necessary motor units for contraction. In turn, this will improve overall motor control and increase strength immediately post-treatment.
If you are interested in Trigger Point Dry Needling for your treatment plan or would like more information on how it would be used for you, send us a private message via email or click the link below to set up an appointment for a FREE Screening!
Restore Physical Therapy is excited to continue being the premier rehabilitation center in Rhode Island, serving the community for all of its recovery needs!