A Better Way to Manage Chronic Pain!
Dry Needling Thunder Bay
Dry needling is a form of therapy in which thin, flexible filament needles are inserted into myofascial trigger points (muscle knots) in order to stimulate a healing response.
Dry needling, also known as trigger point needling, is helpful in a variety of painful musculoskeletal conditions and its popularity has grown significantly in recent years.
Dry needling differs from acupuncture in that it is used primarily to ease muscle pain – it helps to release the muscle knot or trigger point and relieve any muscle pain or spasm.
It has also been shown to improve the range of motion and level of function of the muscles and joints affected.
Dry Needling in Thunder Bay
At Fanti + Associates, Physiotherapists in Thunder Bay, our health care team of physiotherapists uses only sterile, single-use filament needles for every dry needling session. It is a safe and gentle modality that is often combined with other treatment techniques (i.e., manual therapy, exercise, and education). Most of our patients report minimal discomfort and are usually quite relaxed during treatment. Typical sensations that have been reported during treatments may include warmth, light pressure, tingling, and occasionally, a very mild to dull ache.
Some patients report immediate relief with the very first treatment, and a few may see some relief after a series of repeated treatments. In general, our patients should expect the most significant benefit throughout 4-8 dry needling sessions. Before any dry needling session, your therapist will review the risks and benefits of this treatment technique.
Our physiotherapists are registered with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario and have received specialized training in dry needling for physical rehabilitation. They incorporate specific trigger points into their physiotherapy treatment sessions to benefit them with patients’ consent. These services are reimbursable under “physiotherapy” under extended health insurance plans.
Dry Needling Can Be Used To Treat a Variety of Health Conditions, Including (but Not Limited To):
- Neck pain
- Shoulder impingement
- Tennis elbow
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Headaches
- Knee pain
- Shin Splints
- Plantar fasciitis
- Low back pain
- Chronic conditions
- Soft tissue injuries
- Arthritis pain
- Joint pain
- Myofascial pain
Personalized Treatment Plans
Prior to your first treatment session, the physiotherapist (registered health care professional) will do a thorough assessment of your condition and medical history to find out if dry needling will be a good option for you. Upon assessment, other forms of physiotherapy may be recommended in addition to this form of treatment.
Often, combining manual therapy and exercise therapy with dry needling works very well. Once we’ve created your personalized treatment plan based on your individual needs, we’re ready to begin treatment.
How the Dry Needling Technique Works
Muscles that are spasming or in knots are actually doing something known in the physiotherapy world as ‘shortening’. When the muscle fibers shorten, this puts pressure on the nerve endings which irritates them and causes you to feel pain and tension. By insertion of needles into the shortening muscles, your physiotherapist will be looking to manually activate a stretch receptor and trigger a soft tissue release.
When the stretch receptor is activated by the needle, the muscle responds by grabbing the needle and then relaxing.
A muscle that is not in a state of shortening would not grab at the needle. Instead, it would simply remain relaxed around it. This is how your physiotherapist will be able to tell when they’ve successfully located the stretch receptor.
In addition to making the muscle relax, this treatment also stimulates healing over time. By causing a small amount of damage to the muscle, the body’s natural healing process will kick in. With repeated treatments, the muscle may even be able to heal completely and relax more easily.
Regardless of the treatment techniques, dry needling will affect local and central nervous system (CNS) mechanisms of pain and soft tissue injury.
After treatment, there will be a 1-2 week recovery period before your next session to allow the muscles time to heal.
Minimally Invasive and Effective Practice
One of the best reasons to consider dry needling is that it’s minimally invasive with a low risk of complications or side effects.
Dry needling can be an excellent and effective treatment modality as compared to surgery or other high-risk treatment options like addictive prescription pills.
Another great thing about this type of therapy is that it can also be used after you’ve already had surgery to help you recover faster. There’s also evidence to suggest that many people who have had little to no success with other treatments find relief through dry needling.
Frequently Asked Questions
The needles used in dry needling are very small and some patients say they feel no pain during treatment. Others describe it as feeling similar to a pressure point or even a “charlie horse” so your experience may vary depending on your condition and your tolerance to pain. You may experience localized post-treatment soreness for up to 48 hours.
There is a very low risk of complications associated with dry needling. You may experience light bleeding, bruising, and soreness. These are all typically very mild. Some people may faint while undergoing treatment and some fatigue may also be experienced. Your physiotherapist will review any other risk factors specific to the area being treated prior to commencing this treatment with you.
The needle used for dry needling treatments is the same one used for acupuncture. It is a very thin monofilament needle. The reason it’s called a ‘dry’ needle is that it’s different from needles used for injections.
Depending on a number of factors like age and condition, the number of treatments required for relief and recovery will vary. For example, studies have shown patients treated for their lower back pain required on average 8 treatment sessions to recover from their condition or see a great improvement in it.
With acupuncture, needles are placed in a specific, predetermined location and the needle is not moved after it is inserted. With dry needling, physiotherapists expertly adjust the dry needling targets until the desired response (activation of the stretch receptor) is achieved. Dry Needling Services Thunder Bay
Dry needling has changed the lives of many of our patients who once experienced chronic pain or bothersome muscle tension. We want to do the same thing for your life. Don’t suffer in pain every day when we are here to help. It’s time you do something to regain control of your life and get the relief you deserve today.
Call us at (807) 343-9311 and book an appointment with one of our dedicated and skilled physiotherapists with vast clinical experience in patient care.
We’re waiting and ready to get you started on the road to recovery.
All of our therapists are registered with the College of Physiotherapists, and proudly serving Thunder Bay Ontario, and all of Northwestern Ontario for over 25 years.
Fanti + Associates Physiotherapists offers insurance covered, one-to-one physiotherapy, acupuncture, and sports rehabilitation services for the residents of Thunder Bay and surrounding areas. Put years of clinical experience behind your care.
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Fanti & Associates Physiotherapists
Address: 678 John St, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 1Z6