Dry needling is a therapeutic intervention used by licensed physical therapists in which small needles are inserted through the skin to treat muscle tension and trigger points. Dry needling focuses on tight muscles, tissues, and myofascial trigger points, which allows PTs to address almost 5-10x the number of areas compared to acupuncture.  Dry needling has been shown to reduce pain and tension while increasing circulation, blood flow and range of motion. Additionally, benefits can be seen outside of direct placement of the needles, making dry needling an advantageous and efficient intervention.

Dry needling can be used for various treatment conditions including pelvic health diagnoses such as diastasis recti, tailbone pain, sexual dysfunction, pelvic floor tightness, or scar tissue after surgery or delivery. The needles are “dry,” which means that nothing gets injected into your body. Once needles are inserted into areas of tension, they can be left in place for 5-30 mins or manipulated by the physical therapist as needed. The needles can, directly and indirectly address points of tension, which can improve bladder and bowel control and help provide stability and support for the pelvic organs. Dry needling for the pelvic floor must be performed by licensed pelvic health practitioners.

Contact your physical therapist or one of the following NJ JAG locations to see if dry needling may be beneficial for you: Hamilton, Howell, Bedminster, Bridgewater, Bordentown, Cape May Court House, Edison, Freehold, Jersey City, Ocean City, Red Bank, Warren, Westfield, West Long Branch.

Learn More about Pelvic Health from JAG PT:

• What Exercises are Good for Improving Pelvic Health?
• Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy
• How to Support your Hips and Pelvic Floor Before Being Active
• Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy

The post Dry Needling in Pelvic Health appeared first on JAG Physical Therapy in NY, NJ, & PA.

This form of treatment, which can also be called intramuscular manual therapy and trigger point dry needling, is safe, indicated for people with many kinds of musculoskeletal conditions, and has the potential to bring about quick and lasting relief.

The specialist physical therapists at JAG PT offer dry needling as part of our manual therapy program, and people from all walks of life, from construction workers and athletes to office workers and college students, can have their chronic muscle pain relieved by this treatment. Contact us today, schedule your appointment at one of our physical therapy clinics in New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, or read further to learn more about JAG PT’s approach to dry needling.

What is a Trigger Point?

A myofascial trigger point (MTP) is a section of skeletal muscle that is more susceptible to irritation than most muscle tissue. Trigger points can correspond to raised nodules or “knots” in muscle fibers, and they are associated with increased tension, muscle twitches and contractions, and pain that may be felt locally or referred elsewhere in the body. Trigger points may be the cause of many kinds of muscle problems, and dry needling treats these issues directly at the source.

What Kinds of Needles are Used in Dry Needling?

Thin, sterile, one-use needles are the tool of choice for physical therapists who specialize in dry needling. These may be solid filiform (threadlike) needles, or hollow hypodermic needles, and are typically less than 0.03 inches in diameter. The thinness of these needles allows the PT to reach trigger points anywhere in the muscular system, precisely target these small areas of tissue, and make the treatment as comfortable as possible.

Why Choose Dry Needling?

For people with general musculoskeletal pain or dysfunction, dry needling can be a helpful addition to their overall physical therapy plan. By causing tense trigger points to release that tension, dry needling can quickly improve muscular function and reduce pain, which can also help patients better complete exercises and other rehabilitation activities. Many sports medicine specialists also recommend dry needling to athletes as an important therapy for muscle pain recovery.

Contact JAG Physical Therapy if you have any inquiries about our dry needling program, or schedule an appointment today at one of our New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania locations.

Learn More About Physical Therapy Treatment from JAG PT:

• Treating and Avoiding Common Hip Injutres
• Shock & Trauma Relief
• Can Physical Therapy Treat Chronic Pain?
• Common Shoulder Injuries and How to Treat Them

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