Dry Needling

Staying up-to-date with current trends in Physical Therapy is paramount to the PT Staff at OMS.  To meet that need, we offer Dry Needling as a treatment option for our patients. Dry Needling is a therapeutic treatment procedure that involves inserting a thin acupuncture needle into a tight and irritable muscle. It can be used to treat various musculoskeletal conditions including overuse injuries, sports injuries and general chronic and acute disorders. Dry Needling works on trigger points to release shortened bands of muscle tissues that can refer or radiate pain into broader areas of the body.  By helping to reduce the trigger point activity, dry needling can decrease pain and muscle tension, and increase joint mobility. 

Dry needling focuses on individual muscles by inserting the needle directly into the irritable band of tissue. The insertion of the needle causes a local muscle contraction and can promote positive biomechanical and neurological alterations in the affected tissues. Usually, a healthy muscle feels very little discomfort upon insertion of the needle; however, if the muscle is sensitive and shortened or has active trigger points within it, the patient may feel a sensation much like a muscle cramp or deep pressure. Typically, positive results are apparent within 2-4 treatment sessions but can vary depending on the cause and duration of the symptoms and overall health of the patient.