Dry needling at MindBody Med in Seattle, WA led by Dr. John Chevigny, can help athletes find relief from a wide array of acute and chronic injuries. If trigger points (also known as muscle knots) are causing you pain and affecting your athletic performance, dry needling is a safe non-invasive treatment for a quicker recovery.
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a technique using a very thin needle (the same type used for acupuncture) to help stimulate the muscle and release trigger points. It’s referred to as dry needling because nothing is injected into the body during treatment. The needle is inserted into the muscle knot, causing microtrauma and stimulating the healing process.
How Is Dry Needling & Acupuncture Different?
Both treatments use the same type of instrument. However, the goal and theory differ. Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and focuses on yin-yang balance and releasing energy blockages. Dry needling is based on Western Medicine and focuses on intense stimulation of the muscle to help release muscle knots and tight bands.
What Is A Trigger Point?
A myofascial trigger point is composed of tense muscle fibers causing tight bands or hard lumps. The tight fibers can disrupt the range of motion and cause pain and tenderness.
Muscles are meant to be flexible. Chronic holding patterns, an injury, chronic dehydration, or performing the same action over and over again, can cause muscle fibers to stick together. Left untreated, trigger points will continue to lose flexibility, and cause pain, and postural stress.
What Are The Benefits?
Dry needling can help reduce neuromuscular pain and restore function and movement. The treatment sends chemical and hormonal messages to the nervous system signaling it to relax. Blood flow to the treated area increases and helps speed healing time. It’s an effective therapy for a wide variety of conditions affecting patients and athletes.
- Shoulder Impingement
- Tennis Elbow
- Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
- Headaches
- Back & Neck Pain
- Hip Pain
- Knee Pain
- Shin Splints
- Plantar Fasciitis
Are There Any Side Effects?
Dry needling is generally safe and most patients only experience minor discomfort. Muscle fatigue and soreness are normal but usually don’t last more than a few hours to a few days. Rarely does the discomfort interfere with normal day-to-day activities.
How Many Treatments To Find Relief From Trigger Points?
Many patients find days’ worth of relief after just one session. However, 3 to 4 sessions are usually needed for the best results. For more serious conditions, 5 to 6 may be suggested.
Dry Needling For Athletes In Seattle, WA
If you’re an athlete seeking a drug-free, holistic treatment for trigger points, dry needling at MindBody Med in Seattle, WA may be right for you. In our integrated health clinic, you can get help with any chiropractic need, whether you have a recent injury, are suffering from chronic pain or disease, or just want to improve your sports performance.
Dr. Chevigny is a Board Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician and has worked with athletes of all ages and skill levels. He and his team are skilled in a wide variety of techniques to help speed your recovery time and get you back to playing the sport that you love.
