What to Expect

In an ideal session, we would establish where you problem manifests in your body and then work backwards to find the root of it. Most of the time, pain is not based in a single location but is a product of dysfunction in a joint or muscle group, and requires a look at the bigger picture to resolve. Dry needling can be incredibly useful in these instances because it can give a quick reset or release to the muscles that are firing improperly and allow the body to move as it should.

Most sessions will include needling within a specific body area and may incorporate needling at the specific spinal level that corresponds to the dysfunctional muscle. Each muscle in the body is innervated by peripheral nerves that branch off from spinal root nerves. By activating the spinal level in addition to the muscle, the entire pathway can be reset.

Once the needles are in an effective spot, I may use e-stim (electrical stimulation) with a handheld device designed for this use. Many people have experienced TENS (trans-cutaneous electrical neuro stimulation) for pain relief where electrodes are placed on the skin and electricity is directed into the muscles below. Using e-stim with dry needling is a much more precise and localized signal that goes through the needle directly into the problem spot. This external signal allows the muscle to relearn the appropriate response to stimulation, the same way the brain sends an internal electric signal to the muscle to contract. 

Once the release has been achieved, needles will be removed and retesting of the problematic movement will be used to confirm the appropriate change has occurred. I will also incorporate corrective exercises to help reinforce the changes made by needling so that you don't return to that endless cycle of pain, recovery, relapse. At the next session, we will check in to see how your body responded to the treatment in the following days and adjust accordingly.