Dry Needling

NFDN™ is based on the neurophysiology of pain, anatomy, nerve pathways and biomechanics.

NFDN™ utilizes similar strategies as IMS but with less rapid needle movement, and often incorporates more targeted points related to the functional anatomy and nerve courses of the dysfunctional or painful tissues involved.  This helps to improve the pathway communication of electric signals along peripheral nerves, stimulating them to restore their natural optimal function, and pain-free efficient movement. 

It is postulated that the cumulative effect on the peripheral nerves is also able to boost functioning of the central nervous system (“higher centers”).  This technique is often more comfortable and longer duration (7-10 minutes) than IMS.

Do you have pain that is persistent, perhaps over several months?

Pain without any obvious cause or sign of injury?

Pain that is undiagnosed with XRays or MRI?

Muscles that don’t seem to release with stretching? Joints that don’t move as well as they should, perhaps due to an old injury?

These are all common signs of neuropathic pain — it means things are a little ‘haywire’ in your nervous system, and can be caused by acute traumas or repetitive strain injuries, among other issues.

Many conditions can be treated, such as: chronic tendonopathies (tendonitis, tendonosis), achilles tendonitis, headaches and neck pain, low back pain, neck pain and whiplash, hip pain, arthritic joints, myofascial pain syndromes, patellofemoral syndrome, sciatica/piriformis syndrome, shin splints, plantar fasciitis etc. These are only some examples of pain, injury and dysfunctional patterns that are very relevant to dry needling.

The needle can be inserted into the epicenter of taut, tender muscles – or near the spine where the adjacent nerve root may have become super-sensitive [it does not involve needling the nerve].  The needle insertion is generally quite painless, and often the muscle will grasp the needle, and cause an ache or pressure sensation. With effective dry needling, there a few well-studied physiological changes: 

• Stretch receptors are stimulated which produces reflexive relaxation and lengthening of the affected muscle, leading to restoration of functional muscle and joints. 

• Release of Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) from the blood due to micro-trauma. PDGF stimulates synthesis of collagen and proteins which are needed for healing and tissue repair.  

• Creation of an electrical potential in the muscle, which causes the nerve to regain normal function.  

• Release of pain-relieving chemicals called endorphins, which help to dampen the pain signals between the body and the brain. 

• Normalization of hyper-sensitive nerves, pain relief and correction of dysfunctional movement patterns.

Do I have to believe in IMS /NFDN™ for it to work? No. 

A positive attitude towards wellness may reinforce the effects of treatment. 

The underlying theory is different — IMS / NFDN™ is based on assessing signs of neuro-muscular dysfunction and needling to create therapeutic affect. Acupuncture is based upon Eastern medicine models where needling points are associated with a map of energy channels called meridians.

When the needle is inserted into a shortened band of muscle, it can often elicit a muscular twitch, gentle ache or tingling sensation felt near and away from the needle insertion point.  The needle is left until the muscle relaxes and there is relief of the ache or cramping sensation. This is a neurophysiological ‘reboot’ of the muscle’s length and tension relationship, and can take a few seconds to a few minutes to occur. 

IMS achieves this recalibration and trigger point release by utilizing a quick movement of the needle to elicit a ‘twitch response”. 

NFDN™ utilizes similar strategies but with less needle movement, and often incorporates other targeted points related to the functional anatomy and nerve courses of the dysfunctional or painful tissues involved.  We often perform both of these types of dry-needling in our treatments.

Typically 3-5 treatments, once per week is ideal — allowing enough time for the body to heal between treatments.  The total number of treatments the patient requires depends on a number of factors, such as the duration of symptoms, presence of scar tissue, and rate of healing (such as age factors).