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Trigger Point Dry Needling Physical TherapyBaton Rouge, Denham Springs, Gonzales & Surrounding Cities

Trigger Point Dry Needling (TDN) is a physical therapy treatment technique that utilizes filament needles to make changes in myofascial trigger points.

Myofascial trigger points are "knots" in muscles that can contribute to pain and decreased muscle function. TDN is an effective tool in the hand of a physical therapist managing soft tissue injuries, disorders and pain.

Dry Needling FAQ

  • Speak with one of our therapists or schedule an appointment to determine if dry needling would be an appropriate for your injury or condition. In the State of Oklahoma, you may see a physical therapist without obtaining a prescription, with the exception of Medicare insurance.

  • In the United States, dry needling is a relatively new method for treating myofascial trigger points and not everyone is already aware of this effective treatment modality. Needling therapies are very common practice for physiotherapists in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and South Africa and is slowly making its way through the United States. More and more physical therapists are incorporating dry needling into their practice. Incorporating the treatment technique with other manual and rehabilitative methods is showing to be very effective in treating various neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Feel free to inform your doctor about this treatment option. It is upon all of us to educate others about new and innovative ways to treat pain.

  • It is typical to experience soreness in the area treated for 1-2 days. The soreness is quite tolerable for most and is easily alleviated with cold/heat and stretching.

  • In some cases, decreased pain and improved mobility is immediate. Typically, it may take a few treatment sessions for a lasting positive effect. Again we are trying to cause mechanical, biochemical and neurological changes without any pharmacological means. Therefore, we are looking for a cumulative response to deactivate trigger points, disrupt pain and to restore optimal muscle function.

  • Yes, we only use the highest quality sterile disposable needles.

  • Most people do not feel the insertion of the needle. The local twitch response elicits a very brief cramping and/or deep aching sensation. dry needling may reproduce symptoms directly in the muscle being treated or may refer to other areas of the body. This is a form of referred pain, which is one of the hallmarks of trigger points. Elicitation of local twitch responses and recognizable referred pain is a good and desirable reaction because it confirms a possible source of dysfunction.

  • Muscle dysfunction can be the primary or secondary contributing factor to many neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Such conditions would include repetitive stress injuries, muscle tendonitis, neck pain, headaches, rotator cuff impingement, frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, sciatica, muscle strains, iliotibial band syndrome, patellofemoral dysfunction, and plantar fasciitis. If active trigger points are found to be causing pain, muscle tightness and/or muscle weakness then they would benefit from being treated by dry needling.

  • The exact mechanisms of dry needling are not known. Dr. Janet Travell first described trigger point injections in the early 1940s. Injections are performed by injecting trigger points primarily with analgesics. Over the years it has been shown that it is not the substance that is being injected that is providing the long-term therapeutic benefit, but rather the mechanical stimulus of the needle itself. When a needle tip hits a trigger point, a characteristic 'local twitch' in the muscle is noted by the clinician and the client. This local twitch is involuntary. It has been shown that the elicitation of local twitch responses is the most important aspect in obtaining a successful therapeutic outcome for trigger point deactivation. There are a number of hypotheses as to the reasons why dry needling works. Dry needling and the subsequent local twitch responses may mechanically disrupt the contracted nature of the trigger point. Dry needling stimulates certain neurological sensors in the body which modulate pain signals. Dry needling and the subsequent local twitch responses can cause positive local biochemical changes and result in an increase of blood flow.

  • The only similarity to acupuncture is the use of an acupuncture needle. Traditional Acupuncture aims to promote health and restore "energetic balance" by stimulating certain acupuncture points found along certain meridians throughout the body. It is one aspect off a Traditional Chinese Medicine approach which includes diagnosis and clinical reasoning using various Chinese medicine assessment methods. Western or Medical Acupuncture also aims to stimulate acupuncture points along meridians, but applies it to western medical reasoning utilizing anatomy and neurophysiology as its basis and not traditional Chinese medicine. Dry needling is based on anatomy and neurophysiology and its aim is to needle altered or dysfunctional tissues in order to improve or restore function, in most cases specifically myofascial trigger points.

  • Dry Needling is a treatment technique that utilizes thin, solid filament needles to deactivate and desensitize trigger points in muscles. Myofascial trigger points are knots in muscles that can contribute to pain, decreased flexibility and decreased muscle function. Dry needling is an effective and efficient method of releasing trigger points, especially when other manual soft tissue techniques are unable to directly release or release as many trigger points. Dry needling is also known as Intramuscular Manual Therapy (IMT).

Dry needling involves using a thin needle to ease tense portions of muscle and fascia. The tight muscle bands are called trigger points. Dry needling stimulates the nerves around the trigger points, decreasing muscle tension by allowing the muscle fibers to stop over-contracting. Trigger point dry needling physical therapy is part of a larger treatment plan to relieve muscle tension. After dry needling, your physical therapist will train you on exercises to improve the cause of your pain or weakness.

What Are Trigger Points?

Trigger points are tight bands of muscles that are tender to the touch and typically develop in overused muscles. This can happen anywhere in the body and is very common in the shoulders (the “traps”), muscles around the low back, calves, and quadriceps. You will likely see results after a few dry needling sessions! It is an excellent way to relieve pain and improve muscle function.  

What To Expect From Dry Needling

When you search for trigger point dry needling near me, there are a few things you should expect. Your physical therapist will explain the risks and benefits, sterilize the treatment area, use a single-use dry needle, and puncture the skin to access the muscle with slight pressure. This is typically tolerated very well with little to no pain. Your PT will stop the procedure if you are at all uncomfortable. After your session, you will work on a home exercise program including stretches and strengthening exercises to reinforce the dry needling.

How A Physical Therapist Can Help

Physical therapists undergo hundreds of hours of extra training to become certified in trigger point dry needling, per their state’s regulations. Your PT is passionate about dry needling and will use it as one of many treatment options for tight and painful muscle tissue. Your PT may use it to treat muscle spasms, painful muscles with trigger points, and in athletes that have specific overused muscles. For swimmers, this may be the shoulders and back and for cyclists, the quadriceps and calves.

You may benefit from dry needling if you have chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and myofascial pain syndrome. It can also be useful after surgery to promote muscle recovery. Your physical therapist knows whether or not you may benefit from dry needling and are happy to answer any questions you have about it.

 

 

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Trigger Point Dry Needling Physical Therapy Locations

Denham Springs

2250 Home Depot Drive
Denham Springs, LA 70726
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Gonzales

1227 Highway 30 East
Gonzales, LA 70737
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Brittany

5222 Brittany Drive
Ste A
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
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Jones Creek

4802 Jones Creek Road
Suite B
Baton Rouge, LA 70817
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Shadows

530 Shadows Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, we only use the highest quality sterile disposable needles.

  • Speak with one of our therapists or schedule an appointment to determine if dry needling would be an appropriate for your injury or condition. In the State of Oklahoma, you may see a physical therapist without obtaining a prescription, with the exception of Medicare insurance.

  • The exact mechanisms of dry needling are not known. Dr. Janet Travell first described trigger point injections in the early 1940s. Injections are performed by injecting trigger points primarily with analgesics. Over the years it has been shown that it is not the substance that is being injected that is providing the long-term therapeutic benefit, but rather the mechanical stimulus of the needle itself. When a needle tip hits a trigger point, a characteristic ‘local twitch’ in the muscle is noted by the clinician and the client. This local twitch is involuntary. It has been shown that the elicitation of local twitch responses is the most important aspect in obtaining a successful therapeutic outcome for trigger point deactivation. There are a number of hypotheses as to the reasons why dry needling works. Dry needling and the subsequent local twitch responses may mechanically disrupt the contracted nature of the trigger point. Dry needling stimulates certain neurological sensors in the body which modulate pain signals. Dry needling and the subsequent local twitch responses can cause positive local biochemical changes and result in an increase of blood flow.

  • Most people do not feel the insertion of the needle. The local twitch response elicits a very brief cramping and/or deep aching sensation. dry needling may reproduce symptoms directly in the muscle being treated or may refer to other areas of the body. This is a form of referred pain, which is one of the hallmarks of trigger points. Elicitation of local twitch responses and recognizable referred pain is a good and desirable reaction because it confirms a possible source of dysfunction.

  • In some cases, decreased pain and improved mobility is immediate. Typically, it may take a few treatment sessions for a lasting positive effect. Again we are trying to cause mechanical, biochemical and neurological changes without any pharmacological means. Therefore, we are looking for a cumulative response to deactivate trigger points, disrupt pain and to restore optimal muscle function.

  • The only similarity to acupuncture is the use of an acupuncture needle. Traditional Acupuncture aims to promote health and restore “energetic balance” by stimulating certain acupuncture points found along certain meridians throughout the body. It is one aspect off a Traditional Chinese Medicine approach which includes diagnosis and clinical reasoning using various Chinese medicine assessment methods. Western or Medical Acupuncture also aims to stimulate acupuncture points along meridians, but applies it to western medical reasoning utilizing anatomy and neurophysiology as its basis and not traditional Chinese medicine. Dry needling is based on anatomy and neurophysiology and its aim is to needle altered or dysfunctional tissues in order to improve or restore function, in most cases specifically myofascial trigger points.

  • Dry Needling is a treatment technique that utilizes thin, solid filament needles to deactivate and desensitize trigger points in muscles. Myofascial trigger points are knots in muscles that can contribute to pain, decreased flexibility and decreased muscle function. Dry needling is an effective and efficient method of releasing trigger points, especially when other manual soft tissue techniques are unable to directly release or release as many trigger points. Dry needling is also known as Intramuscular Manual Therapy (IMT).

  • It is typical to experience soreness in the area treated for 1-2 days. The soreness is quite tolerable for most and is easily alleviated with cold/heat and stretching.

  • Muscle dysfunction can be the primary or secondary contributing factor to many neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Such conditions would include repetitive stress injuries, muscle tendonitis, neck pain, headaches, rotator cuff impingement, frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, sciatica, muscle strains, iliotibial band syndrome, patellofemoral dysfunction, and plantar fasciitis. If active trigger points are found to be causing pain, muscle tightness and/or muscle weakness then they would benefit from being treated by dry needling.

  • In the United States, dry needling is a relatively new method for treating myofascial trigger points and not everyone is already aware of this effective treatment modality. Needling therapies are very common practice for physiotherapists in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and South Africa and is slowly making its way through the United States. More and more physical therapists are incorporating dry needling into their practice. Incorporating the treatment technique with other manual and rehabilitative methods is showing to be very effective in treating various neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Feel free to inform your doctor about this treatment option. It is upon all of us to educate others about new and innovative ways to treat pain.

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My pain was so bad it was impacting my running and making my training very difficult and painful. With their help I was able to achieve my goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon! I am so thankful to all the staff for all they did for me and making me feel like I was part of their family. Love you all!!!

5 stars

Cortney H.

BPRT Lake Patient

Best place ever. I had at least 4 separate injuries/surgeries where I needed therapy for my knee and back. Each time Tyler, Seth and crew got me back on track. You can't beat their personal attention to your specific needs.

5 stars

Joe S.

BPRT Lake Patient

This place is amazing. The people are outstanding. I love the way they explain what to do and why and will remind you when you forget. They are kind and realize you may be hurting. They are always timely and friendly. I thank all of you.

5 stars

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BPRT Lake Patient
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