Integrative Dry Needling

Integrative Dry needling* is a highly effective form of Physical therapy for the treatment of a multitude of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. It is not appropriate for all conditions or pathologies and the use of the technique will be at the discretion of your physical therapist. Our therapists are trained and Certified in Integrative Dry Needling (IDN) as well as trained Neurologic Dry Needling (NDN). (Neurologic Dry Needling (NDN) is an advanced level of dry needling in the Integrative Dry Needling model.)

How Does It Work?

Integrative dry needling is not acupuncture (traditional Chinese medicine): it is based on neuro-anatomy and modern scientific study of the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. A very fine filament needle is inserted through the skin and into the deeper tissues that are considered trigger points to your pain. Dry needling works by causing a micro lesion within the pathological tissue, normalizing the inflammatory response, and centrally mediating the pain. This mechanical and neuromuscular effect provides an environment that enhances the body's ability to heal which ultimately reduces pain.

What conditions can be treated?

Conditions include, but are not limited to, neck, back and shoulder pain, arm pain (tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, golfer's elbow), buttock pain and leg pain (sciatica, hamstring strains, calf tightness/spasms). Neurologic Dry Needling can treat but is not limited to Cervicogenic headaches, migraines, POTS, Chiari malformation, trigeminal neuralgia, TMJ, and cranial nerve issues.

Integrative Dry needling involves placing a small needle into the tissue that is tender with the intent to normalize the physiology of the area and regain homeostasis, which will improve the function of the musculoskeletal system resulting in symptom reduction.

How DN works:

Integrative Dry Needling fuses filament needles to inoculate minor lesions into the soft tissues (skin, muscles, fascia, tendon and ligament, etc) to activate the healing process, resulting in pain relief and restoration of healthy physiology. As stated by IDN, “Neurologic dry needling treatment focuses on addressing neurogenic inflammation resulting in peripheral nerve sensitization.”

The pathophysiology of myofascial pain involves:

1. sensitization of central nervous system and peripheral nervous system,
2. soft tissue dysfunction, which includes a number of histological abnormalities and molecular events and
3. musculoskeletal biomechanical imbalance.

The widely known concept of trigger points and their referred pain patterns are one of these histological abnormalities.

*Integrative/Neurologic Dry Needling are licensed trademarks owned by Integrative Dry Needling, LLC. Content of this website is licensed from and owned by Integrative Dry Needling, LLC. The trademark and content cannot be used, reproduced, distributed, used for derivative works, publicly displayed, publicly performed, or digitally transmitted without the prior written consent of Integrative Dry Needling, LLC.