DRY NEEDLING

Intramuscular manual therapy, also known as trigger point dry needling, can be an effective alternative to traditional treatment methods for eliminating chronic pain caused by trigger points. Dry needling can be used for a variety of musculoskeletal problems. Any areas where muscles are sore or active trigger points are identified may benefit from dry needling. This is an advanced procedure that requires additional training, including greater than 54 hours of intensive course work. Physical therapists at Action Therapeutics LLC utilize Kinetacore for their education.

Dry needling is not acupuncture, a practice based on traditional Chinese medicine and performed by acupuncturists. Dry needling is a part of modern Western medicine principles, and supported by research.

Dry needling differs from acupuncture in that acupuncture uses needles placed in acupuncture points in the skin that correct imbalances of flow or ‘qi’ through channels, known as Meridians, whereas dry needling attempts to decrease pain by needling individual trigger points. The philosophies and intent of both interventions are very different.
In the US, dry needling is a relatively new method for treating myofascial pain, and not everyone is aware of this effective modality.

Dry needling is a technique physical therapists use (where allowed by state law) for the treatment of pain and movement impairments. The technique uses a "dry" needle, one without medication or injection, inserted through the skin into areas of the muscle.
Other terms commonly used to describe dry needling, include trigger point dry needling, and intramuscular manual therapy.