KCP is proud to provide many services to our patients. Trigger point needling, also known as dry needling, is one of these services. KCP’s leaders Joy and Joyce are both highly experienced manual therapists who are trained in trigger point dry needling. Many people don’t know much about dry needling, so let us tell you exactly what it is.

What is trigger point dry needling?

As defined by the American Physical Therapy Association:

“Dry needling is a skilled intervention that uses a thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular, and connective tissues for the management of musculoskeletal pain and movement impairments. Dry needling (DN) is a technique used to treat dysfunctions in skeletal muscle, fascia, and connective tissue, and, diminish persistent peripheral nociceptive input,(pain) and reduce or restore impairments of body structure and function leading to improved activity and participation.”

Essentially dry needling is used to loosen muscles that are painful and tight from different health issues. Loosening muscle’s subject to trigger point is a common reason for dry needling.

What is a Trigger Point?

“A trigger point is a tight band of skeletal muscle that is located within a larger muscle group. A trigger point can be tender to the touch, and pressing on it can also cause pain to radiate to other parts of the body.” Dry Needling is an effective, direct approach to manage trigger points.

Dry needling treatment can be used to manage the issues such as, but not limited to:

  • Generalized musculoskeletal pain
  • Arthritis
  • Nerve irritation from the back or neck
  • Ligament strain
  • Low back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Rotator cuff injury
  • Tennis elbow
  • Plantar fasciitis

What happens after dry needling treatment?

  • Increased range of motion,
  • Decreases in pain or tightness.
  • Decreased nerve pain
  • Injury resolution

At KCP we use dry needling on patients and find the outcomes to be positive. If you have any other questions on dry needling click here to read some more information.

If you are injured or experiencing pain, call to set up a consultation.

KCP Physical Therapy and Fitness: 704-541-1191 or email jkight@kcpphysicaltherapy.com