Functional Dry Needling is a version of dry needling that focuses not on pain, but on movement. Evaluation and assessment of dysfunctional movement is imperative for the therapist to successfully affect movement. Treating the neuromuscular tissue that is not allowing or promoting proper movement is the goal of Functional Dry Needling. If properly applied, pain quickly subsides and corrective movements are more easily adopted. Pain is also addressed with Dry Needling and all the other tools we have, because we know that proper function will not happen when pain is present. Functional Dry Needling is a great tool to “open the door” to a new way of moving that promotes health and well being.

Functional Dry Needling incorporates both treatment at the site of Trigger Points, as well as treatment at the level of the spinal segment where the dysfunction is present. This is how to maximize the results, and ultimately improve someone’s ability to move.

What are the Benefits?

• Increased Blood Flow

• Decreased banding of the muscle

• Changes in the chemical composition of the affected area, promoting healing.

Why Do Trigger Points Occur?

Energy Crisis Theory

Why Do We Insert Needles at the Spinal Segments?

Radiculopathic Model

The use of Dry Needling in the ways addressed above can really have a profound effect on someone’s ability to move and perform in life. BUT, it must be followed up with corrective exercises and new movement patterns, so the changes can occur for the long haul and not apply a temporary band-aid.

If you’re interested in learning more about how Dry Needling at Wonsettler Physical Therapy can help you regain your Freedom to Move, give us a call today!

What DOES a PT do?

We can’t tell you how many times we’ve heard “I didn’t know you did that” from patients we’ve seen in Physical Therapy.

It’s a common occurrence you’ve probably experienced. Maybe the first time you went to Rural King you said to yourself “I didn’t know I could get my fishing license here!”

Same for us as Physical Therapists. We often hear things like “I thought you mostly rehabbed someone after a knee surgery.” Or, “I thought that was only for old people that had a stroke or car accident and needed to learn how to walk correctly again.”