Trigger Point Dry Needling

Trigger Point Dry Needling (TDN), or Functional Dry Needling (FDN) is a treatment for muscular tightness and spasm which commonly occurs with acute injuries or chronic pain, such as neck or low back pain, running injuries, shoulder tendonitis or other injuries. Muscular tightness and spasm can often cause compression and irritation of the nerves, decreasing the muscle’s ability to relax.

With FDN treatment, small, thin needles are inserted in the muscles at the site of spasm or trigger point. When the needles are inserted, the muscles contract and release, allowing for improved flexibility, muscle function, and decreased spasms. Because the needles are so thin, the patient often does not even feel the needle go in, but will quickly feel the relief of the muscle relaxing. The patient typically notices immediate increased flexibility of the muscle and a decrease in symptoms.

Intramuscular electrical stimulation can also be used to facilitate this process in deeper, more hard to reach muscle groups such as the hips and gluteal muscles. The primary goal of FDN is to desensitize supersensitive structures and restore motion and function through releasing shortened muscles, promoting healing, and decreasing muscle spasm.

FDN can be helpful for many conditions including but not limited to: