Dry Needling / Trigger Point Therapy in NYC
Dry Needling / Trigger Point Therapy is the beginning of your journey to rapid relief from Chronic & Acute Musculoskeletal Pain
One of the most effective treatments I offer is trigger point therapy, also known as dry needling. This therapy is highly successful in alleviating muscle tension and pain, promoting overall physical wellness.
During a dry needling session, I use tiny sterilized needles to gently target trigger points in your body where you're experiencing pain or discomfort. These trigger points are areas within your muscles that can become sensitive and develop due to injury or overuse. While dry needling is well-known for managing sports injuries, it is also effective for addressing various other types of muscular aches and pains.
Whether you're dealing with chronic arthritis, tendonitis, muscle spasms, or knots, dry needling can significantly accelerate your body's natural healing process and restore muscle function. This can help you get back to your daily routine without experiencing pain.
Although acupuncture and dry needling share some similarities, Trigger Point Therapy uses dry needling as part of a much larger treatment strategy. Acupuncturists are trained for years in this technique, while some PTs can take just a weekend training and be legally allowed to perform dry needling. I highly recommend you only allow licensed acupuncturists to perform dry needling on you whenever possible.
So how does Trigger Point Therapy work?
When the needle is inserted into your trigger point, it alleviates tension by creating a localized, pinpointed micro-trauma. While this may sometimes result in temporary inflammation, it simultaneously enhances circulation and increases the flow of oxygen, nutrients, and blood to the area. This rapid increase in circulation can swiftly relieve pain and shorten your recovery time.
Additionally, this therapy prompts your body to release endorphins, your natural painkillers. As the needle stimulates your muscle, it may twitch before ultimately relaxing. This twitch response triggers the release of endorphins, facilitating easier management of pain sensations. Consequently, dry needling is highly effective in promoting the natural healing process of your muscles, potentially reducing the frequency of prescription painkiller use.
If you’re new to dry needling, many clients describe feeling moderate pressure during a needle session with slight discomfort as the needle enters the trigger point and encourages their muscles to release and relax. Some people refer to it as “that good pain” like when getting a deep tissue massage and deeply working on a “knot”.
Many of my clients experience significant relief after the first session, making dry needling a transformative therapy that encourages stress reduction and relaxation. On-going sessions are often added into my patients well-being practice to help avoid future discomfort.
Ankle and foot sprains
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Face and jaw pain
Fibromyalgia with muscle pain
Hip and leg pain, including sciatica, tight calf muscles, and muscle strain
Nerve Impingement
Memory or sleep issues, including fatigue, memory loss, and mood swings
Shoulder and arm pain
Tendonitis
What to expect before and after your Triggerpoint Therpay/ Dry Needling Appointment
A consultation begins the session to discuss your medical history and what you hope to achieve from this treatment method. I’ll take the time to answer any questions you have, address your concerns, help you set your expectations, and explain how it works.
Each session is custom to your needs and often includes a combination of medical massage, cupping, guasha, and electro-stimulation alongside your trigger point therapy. When necessary both side of the body will also be treated in order to accomplish our goals.
After your treatment, I strongly encourage you to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. You may have slight muscle soreness after a session, so it’s essential to keep moving to keep your muscles loose. This soreness is very normal due to the micro-traumas I created in your trigger points, and it usually lasts between 24 and 36 hours. Rarely you may experience light bruising in the treatment area that can last up to a week, but they are pain-free.
Being pain FREE begins now!
I look forward to being part of your path to wellness by helping you understand the benefits of dry needling and how I can use it to help you live a full, pain-free life.