Dry Needling

I was first exposed to dry needling as a patient myself, recovering from sports injuries as a Division I soccer athlete. I found Dry Needling to be an effective treatment modality after traditional trigger point release manual therapy, exercises, ice, heat and medications weren’t working well enough to get me back on the soccer field. I earned my Dry Needling Certification through the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy (AAMT). I am excited to offer this healing modality at Cedar Physical Therapy!

I am trained in both superficial and deep dry needling techniques for the treatment of craniofacial, cervicothoracic, upper extremity, lumbosacral and lower extremity musculoskeletal conditions (see a comprehensive list of common conditions dry needling can be beneficial in treating below).

The AAMT teaches Dry Needling within the framework of western musculoskeletal diagnoses, not within the theoretical framework of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and not for the purpose of altering the flow of Qi or energy along traditional Chinese meridians. I have completed these three Dry Needling Courses through AAMT: DN-1, DN-2, and DN-3 (Ultrasound Guided Dry Needling).

Why is dry needling beneficial? It can help realign muscle fibers, release tight muscles, improve blood flow, decrease inflammation, quiet the nervous system’s pain cycle, and even improve sleep!

Are you experiencing any of the following conditions or symptoms? Schedule a physical therapy appointment with me to give Dry Needling a try.

• Whiplash-associated disorders

• Cervicogenic headaches

• Tension-type headaches

• Migraine headaches

• Rib syndromes

• Facet joint syndromes

• Cervical radiculopathy

• Neck pain

• Temporal Mandibular Dysfunction (TMD or commonly called TMJ)

• Upper back pain

• Generalized shoulder pain

• Rotator cuff injuries

• Shoulder impingement syndrome

• Lateral epicondylitis

• Medial epicondylitis

• Carpal Tunnel syndrome

• Dequervian’s Tenosynovitis

• Thumb pain

• Finger pain

• Trigger finger

• Low back pain

• Hip pain

• Knee pain

• Ankle/foot pain

Want to learn more about the science behind Dry Needling? Check out these research articles:

• Dry needling: a literature review with implications for clinical practice guidelines (Narrative Review 1)

• Conservative management of temporomandibular dysfunction: A literature review with implications for clinical practice guidelines (Narrative review part 2)

• Dry needling and upper cervical spinal manipulation in patients with temporamandibular disorder: A multi-center randomized clinical trial

• Peripheral and Spinal Mechanims of Pain and Dry Needling Mediated Analgesia: A Clinical Resource Guide for Health Care Professionals

• Spinal Manipulation and Electrical Dry Needling in Patients With Subacromial Pain Syndrome: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial