Dry needling is a form of therapy in which fine needles are inserted into myofascial trigger points (painful knots in muscles) tendons, ligaments, or near nerves in order to stimulate a healing response in painful musculoskeletal conditions.  Dry needling is a modern, science-based intervention for the treatment of pain and dysfunction in musculoskeletal conditions such as neck pain, shoulder impingement, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, knee pain, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, or low back pain. 

Research supports that dry needling improves pain control, reduces muscle tension, normalizes biochemical and electrical dysfunction of motor endplates, increase circulation to injured area, improve oxygen delivery, and facilitates an accelerated return to active rehabilitation. 

Dry needling, when combined with a solid physical therapy treatment plan, can help alleviate the following disorders, such as:

• Acute and Chronic Tendonitis
• IT Band Syndrome
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Posterior Tibialis Dysfucntion
• Athletic, sport, and work overuse injuries
• Post-Surgical Pain
• Post-traumatic injuries, Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Neck and Upper Back Pain
• Headaches and Whiplash
• Low Back Pain
• Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis

Is Dry Needling safe?

Drowsiness, or dizziness occurs after treatment in a small number of patients and if affected, you are not advised to drive.  Minor bleeding or bruising occurs after dry needling in 15-20% of treatments and is considered normal.  Temporary pain during dry needling occurs in 60-70% of treatments.  Existing symptoms can get worse after treatment (less than 3% of patients) however this is not necessarily a bad sign. 

Dry Needling is currently offered in Valley City, Gwinner, and Lisbon Clinics.

Single-use, disposable needles are used in this clinic.