Trigger Point Dry Needling (TDN)

Trigger point dry needling is a pain-relieving treatment performed by trained physical therapists using sterile, single-use needles that are inserted directly into the skin and muscle to make the muscle contract and release. It can be used for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and follows strict treatment protocol guidelines to improve muscle flexibility and decrease pain and tightness.

A Collage in Black and White of a Man Holding Joints

Trigger Points

Trigger points can form when muscles in a specific area on our body become extremely tense due to stress, misuse, or underuse. The symptoms can come in the form of sharp, spontaneous pain or general dysfunction of movement. Pain derived from muscular trigger points can make it difficult to complete everyday tasks because of the severe discomfort.

Benefits of Dry Needling

When effective, patients can experience immediate pain relief and relaxation of muscles after a dry needling treatment. Additional benefits include reduction of local pain and muscle spasticity, improved range-of-motion, and lessening of centrally-located or widespread pain. Most patients do not feel the insertion of the needles, but a “twitch response” from muscles can cause a very brief sensation. This is a therapeutic and a desirable reaction where your body begins to react immediately.

This therapy does not use any medication or injections, hence the term “dry” needling. The use of needles in this therapy gives physical therapists the ability to target tissues that are usually not able to be manually palpable.

Trigger point dry needling provides immediate improvement towards your pain level, range of motion, ease of movement, all with a general decrease of symptoms.  Research shows that this technique improves pain control while and minimizes muscle tension. It is an extremely effective treatment that has little to no side effects.

Trigger point dry needling is a safe therapy that is applicable to almost anyone experiencing tense muscle pain that doesn’t seem to disappear. Red Canyon Physical Therapy is an independently-owned practice that offers dedicated personal service and trigger point dry needling therapy for patients in Frederick, Hagerstown, Columbia, and Owings Mills. We can help you determine if your insurance company covers Trigger point dry needling therapy, and we are happy to files claims on patients’ behalf. We also offer sliding payment scales and payment plans. Contact us today for more information.