Functional Dry Needling

Dry Needling is performed by many different professionals, including Physical Therapists, who use very small needles to treat a variety of different musculoskeletal conditions.  The needle is inserted into the problem area or muscle groups that are being affected.

While acupuncture and dry needling have similarities, they are different.  Acupuncture uses similar needles, but they follow strict "acupoints" which are specific predetermined points where they insert the needle.  Dry needling inserts the needle into the problem area.  Acupuncture can only be performed by and acupuncturist, whereas dry needling can be done by many different professionals that are certified in dry needling.

Dry needling is shown to release the body's own opioid-containing cells to the targeted area which allows a decrease in pain sensation.  These opioid-containing cells are 100 times stronger than prescription opioid medication.  Dry needling also helps with collagen realignment, it can break up scar tissue and is shown to release muscle "knots".  It does this by allowing the muscle's collagen fibers to wrap around the needle when it is inserted and them breaks them apart when the needle is twisted, "fanned" and/or "conned".  When the needle is inserted into a taught band of muscle it can also elicit a twitch response.  The twitch response allows the communication between the muscle and the brain to be interrupted and can allow for muscle relaxation as well as decrease in pain sensation.

• Headaches
• Migraines
• Muscle Tension
• Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)
• Tendinitis Symptoms
• Nerve Impairments
• Myofascial Pain
• Cervicogenic Dizziness
• Arthritis pain
• Chronic Pain
• Low Back Pain
• Sciatica
• Plantar Fascitis
• And More!

Allie Hakamaki, DPT and Marie McCabe, DPT are both certified in FDN.  Call today to schedule an Evaluation with them.