Dry Needling Therapy

Dry needling is a technique used by physical therapists to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal disorders. By inserting a monofilament needle into the muscle, there is a release of pressure that helps decrease active trigger point activity.

Access Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics offers dry needling therapy to relieve chronic muscular tightness in trigger points. Trigger points are usually areas that can directly compress or irritate nerves, causing pain. For example, office workers commonly complain of muscle tightness in the shoulders, which is often a result of sitting at a desk all day.

Dry Needling

Some other conditions that may benefit from dry needling therapy include:

  • Neck pain or shoulder tightness
  • Tendinitis
  • Rotator cuff impingement
  • Headaches
  • Tennis elbow
  • Hip pain
  • Iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome

The release that dry needling provides can help:

  • Reduce pain
  • Increase range of motion
  • Restore normal muscle function

Dry needling works best when followed up with stretching and therapeutic exercises to help the muscles restore normal functionality.

 

Locations

Portsmouth, NH Orthopaedic Clinic (Walk-In Clinic)

155 Borthwick Avenue, Suite 102
Portsmouth, NH 03801

Our staff understands and recognizes the importance of providing current and accurate workers’ compensation information and patient progress reports in a timely manner. Above all, our focus is on the recovery process and getting patients back to work quickly.

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Our rehabilitation professionals can also be consulted for home exercise prescription and home or office ergonomic recommendations for someone with a change in functional condition.

Meet Our Physical Therapists

Are there any side effects to dry needling?

The most commonly reported side effects include post needling soreness, bruising, muscle cramping and localized swelling. These symptoms appear 24 to 48 hours after the initial appointment.

How many visits does it take to start seeing results?

Many patients notice an immediate change or improvement in symptoms. However, at least two to three sessions are recommended to achieve the most benefits of dry needling.

How long does an appointment take?

Each dry needling treatment takes about 10 to 20 minutes, but this will depend on the number of muscles that are being targeted.