Dry needling treatment is used to address painful conditions that are related to small contractures in muscles, called trigger points. Dry needling is a minimally invasive procedure in which a monofilament needle is inserted into the skin and muscle directly at a trigger point.
Dry needling is a unique procedure that has proven benefits for back pain. Your back consists of long, taut bands of muscle. Areas called myofascial trigger points are small spots that are particularly prone to irritation, thus increasing back pain. We all have these trigger points, but they only cause pain when they are activated.
The goal of dry needling is to use special needles to deactivate trigger points in your back. During the procedure, a specialist will identify trigger points and insert the tiny needles into the affected areas. Benefits include:
Dry needling is appropriate for many types of back pain. Whether you are suffering from a sports injury, fibromyalgia, muscle pain, or another cause of back pain, dry needling can help to deactivate trigger points and reduce pain.
The precise mechanism by which dry needling improves back pain is not clearly understood. Most research suggests that inserting a needle into the trigger points causes muscle fibers to relax. At the same time, neurons in the area trigger a cascade of chemical events. This includes release of natural painkilling molecules, blocking incoming pain signals into the spine, and increased blood flow to the affected area. As a result, dry needling leads to long-lasting pain relief. Most patients say they feel immediate pain relief that lasts days or weeks. This provides a safe, effective alternative to opioid painkillers or invasive surgery.
The Simple answer is No. Dry Needling, also known as Intramuscular Manual Therapy/Trigger Point Dry Needling, is a modern Western medical modality that is not related to traditional Chinese acupuncture theory. Dry Needling is a procedure in which filiform needles; needles commonly used in acupuncture and are used to deactivate myofascial trigger points.
With our therapy, we are able to decrease your pain, adjust your posture, and train your muscle for a lifetime of relief. Complete the form below and someone will be in touch with you soon!
Dr. Michael Wang is a Certified Level 1 Crossfit Trainer and Crossfit Mobility Trainer who for the past 5 years trained Athletes in Functional Movement training, Olympic Weightlifting, Gymnastics and Powerlifting. Michael is Certified in Dry Needling, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization or IASTM (Cupping and Scraping) and Spinal Manipulation.
Dr. Michael Shin is a Certified TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) Medical Clinician specialized in Dry Needling. In fact, he was one of the first physical therapists in Georgia to do dry needling and was involved in the inclusion of Dry Needling in Georgia’s Physical Therapy License.
