What is Trigger Point Dry Needling?

Trigger points are irritable, thickened muscle that may cause pain over a large area, leading to difficulty with functional activities.  Trigger points may be related to faulty posture, repetitive motions or lifting, protection from another injury, or prior trauma. When a trigger point is touched, it can cause discomfort and radiating pain to nearby areas.  Painful muscles and trigger points may be referred to as myofascial pain syndrome. Common locations for these trigger points are shoulders, spine, and hips.  

Trigger Point Dry Needling (TDN) is a treatment that involves a very thin needle being inserted into the irritated muscle to stimulate a trigger point. Dry needling has been shown to "release" the tight muscle bands and improve blood flow, thereby leading to decreased pain and improved function.  During a Dry Needling session, a "twitch" is felt when a needle is inserted into the trigger point, and this "twitch" is thought to be a sign of release of the resting electrical potential in the muscle, allowing it to relax.