Dry Needling (IDN), also known as trigger point dry needling (TDN).
Dry needling is a safe, effective and efficient treatment used to:
• Release and deactivate myofascial trigger points
• Relax and restore muscle tone and function
• Decrease muscle tone, improve muscle length
• Increase vasodilation while lowering pain receptor sensitivity
Dry needling involves the insertion, manipulation, and at times electric stimulation of a “dry”, solid filiform needle in a trigger point to produce an involuntary local twitch response (LTR) through the spinal cord reflex. The resulting muscular relaxation is due to the release of hyper-tone bands of (tight) muscle fibers muscles or the activation of under-active (weak) muscles. Deactivation of these trigger points can bring immediate relief of symptoms allowing the client to exercise within their newly gained pain-free mobility.
Dry needling is only similar to acupuncture in the sense that a dry, solid filament needle is inserted and manipulated under the skin to release endorphins and serum cortisol for pain relief. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Dry needling is not within the theoretical framework of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the purpose of altering or balancing the flow of Qi or energy along traditional Chinese. Dry needling is within the scope and guidelines of western physical therapy practice, based on modern neuroanatomy and the scientific study of the neuromuscular system.
Dr. Anthony Pribila is double certified in dry needling.