Dry Needling Greater Fenton, MO. It’s impossible to describe how it feels when pain and lack of motion in our bodies keep us from the the things we love doing, or even make daily tasks like reaching for something on the top shelf difficult or even impossible. At Axes Physical Therapy in Fenton, MO, we are constantly looking for cutting edge and treatments that have been demonstrated through research to help Fenton, MO residents return to normalcy and get back to what they most love doing. Many of our patients have found that dry needling is an effective, effortless, and vital part of a more comprehensive treatment plan with us. All of our treatment plans are personalized for each client, the pain or injury that’s affecting them, and the life they want to live. Contact Axes Physical Therapy in Fenton, MO online or call the location nearest you and we will guide you toward results and a positive outcome you may have never thought possible. Though it may be tough to believe now, with our personalized care you will be leaping for joy in no time.
What is Dry Needling? | Fenton, MO Physical Therapy
Dry needling, also known as trigger point dry needling, employs thin filiform needles to pierce the skin and underlying muscles and connective tissue in order to relieve persistent pain, improve range of motion and return you to normal function and the active lifestyle you desire. Physical therapists often use it to amplify the effects of a comprehensive physical therapy regiment along with posture education, stretching, electrical stimulation, and more. Dry needling should solely be carried out by healthcare professionals in Fenton, MO, such as the professional and skilled physical therapists at Axes.
Dry needling is often used to treat myofascial pain. “Myofacial” comes from Greek, with myo meaning muscles and fascia meaning a “flat band,” or the connective tissue inside and surrounding the muscles. Myofascial pain is considered a chronic pain disorder that can affect people until they find appropriate and effective treatment. We’ve found that dry needling is a safe and economical pain reliever for Fenton, MO residents who are burdened with the exorbitant cost of medication or have not seen their symptoms improve with other treatments.
Trigger point dry needling is also ideal for Fenton, MO residents with:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Knee injuries and other joint conditions
- Chronic migraines and headaches
- Arthritis
- Rotator cuff tears
- Various sports injuries
- Certain spinal issues
- Various hand injuries like carpal tunnel
- Phantom pain
- Sciatica
If you’ve been frustrated by ineffective treatments in the past and are doubting whether or not you’ll ever get back to the activities you love, make an appointment for a free screening for your injury or chronic pain with one of our expert physical and occupational therapists to discover if dry needling could finally be the solution you need to end your chronic pain for good.
How Does Dry Needling Work? | Fenton, MO Physical Therapy
With dry needling, we treat patients by focusing on specific areas or regions, known as trigger points, that are the root cause of limiting pain. The pain may either be specific to the trigger point, or radiate out to affect an entire region of your body. Trigger points are segments of inflamed knotted or stressed muscles or tissue that impede the flow of blood to that muscle. That means the affected area is not able to heal as it needs to. By lightly stabbing or tearing damaged muscles or tissue, your Axes physical therapist in Fenton, MO helps stimulate a natural response in your nervous system; the micro-tears signal the body to heal the muscle and tissue and promote the flow of blood and vital nutrients into the area. Also, the needles will stimulate a “twitch” response by initiating a nerve pathway that can change the biochemical makeup of the trigger point. That that communication to the brain releases endorphins, the body’s own, homemade painkiller.
Frequently Asked Questions: Trigger Point Dry Needling in Fenton, MO
Does Dry Needling Hurt?
The needles used to penetrate your muscles are eight times thinner than needles used for injections, so many of our Fenton, MO patients don’t even notice them until they get deeper into the muscle. You may feel some faint discomfort from the twitch response, but it only lasts for a second and is a signal that dry needling is working. Some patients report some dull aches in the pierced muscle or tissue for 24 to 48 hours, but after that, you should start feeling the beneficial effects, if not earlier.
Is Dry Needling Safe?
When it’s done by licensed physical therapists, there is nothing to worry about. All of our physical and occupational therapists in Fenton, MO are knowledgeable professionals with a extensive grasp of the anatomy of the musculoskeletal system.
Is Dry Needling Really Effective?
Absolutely, especially when it is part of a larger, comprehensive physical therapy plan. At Axes, our Fenton, MO physical therapists only recommend treatments that we know are effective because of our experience and extensive medical and academic studies. Studies show the benefits trigger point dry needling can have for people with injuries or chronic pain.
How Long Do The Needles Stay in For? How Deep They Go?
We base that on you, your level of pain, lack of function, and the affected body part. Some piercings will be incredibly shallow and the needles will only stay in for 15-20 seconds. Other times, the needles will stay in for as many as 15 or 20 minutes and go to the core of the muscle, as often dry needling is the only way to access tissue deep within the muscles. All Axes physical therapy regiments are unique, just like our patients.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Again, that depends on you. Most patients need anywhere from one to six sessions to reap the full benefits. We’ll tailor your plan to you to get you the maximum benefit and effectively get you back to the activities that are most important to you.
How Quickly Will I See Improvements With Dry Needling?
Some Fenton, MO clients can feel improvements right away, while others have to wait a day or two after their first appointment.
Isn’t Dry Needling Just the Same as Acupuncture?
This is a common misconception, but no. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical technique, practiced for thousands of years, that aims to align a patient’s flow of energy. Dry needling is based on Western medicine and has only recently become widely used by physical therapists and other medical professionals.
Will My Insurance Cover Dry Needling?
That depends on your specific insurance plan. At Axes, we believe everyone should have access to the effective and evidence-backed physical therapy they need to improve their quality of life and get back to feeling like themselves. We are more than happy to go over your insurance plan and determine if physical therapy is included in your coverage.
Some of the other services we offer in Fenton, MO are:
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Pain Management Services
- TMJ Treatment
- Herniated Disc Treatment
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
- Running Injury
- MCL Tear
- ACL Rehabilitation
- Functional Capacity Evaluation
Trigger Point Dry Needling in Fenton, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
We’ve seen so many patients frustrated by an inability to find pain relief or a return to normal function and activity through medication or other treatments. At Axes, our qualified and skilled physical in Fenton, MO work with you as a team to design a customized treatment plan that we’ve seen be successful with our own eyes. We’ve devoted our practice to getting the best results for our clients and getting you back to the activities you love most, whether that backward kicks on a soccer field, dominating your local pickleball league, or bending down and picking up your grandkids without feeling any pain. Get in touch with a knowledgeable Fenton, MO physical therapist online or call the location most convenient for you.