Established in 2019 as an innovative practice for sports, injury, prenatal and wellness chiropractic services, Pro Performance Chiropractic of Denver can help you in your journey to recovery, rehabilitation and improved health. We offer a variety of integrative services to help you achieve “whole body” wellness. Dr. Christopher Dorsa and the Pro Performance Chiropractic team are proud to offer our clients dry needling.
What Is Dry Needling?
Designed to treat muscle pain and trigger points, dry needling is a therapy that uses ultra-thin acupuncture needles to release pressure and tension. During treatment, your muscles will twitch and contract as the needles are applied. This twitching is crucial because it actually restores relaxation to the muscle to allow for restored function. Many patients feel drastic reductions in muscle pain after just two to four treatments. In studies, dry needling has been found to be a minimally invasive treatment that carries a low risk.
How Does Dry Needling Help?
Dry needling can be a very fast, effective treatment for chronic muscle pain caused by sports injuries, chronic conditions or everyday wear and tear. It can be used for trigger points throughout the body. It is commonly used for neck pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, lower-back pain, tendonitis, elbow pain, plantar fasciitis, tight hamstrings and muscle knots. Dry needling also has the potential to improve flexibility and range of motion. In addition, easing trigger points may improve flexibility and increase range of motion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dry Needling
Dry Needling is similar to Acupuncture in that it uses the same tool, however it differs in its evaluation, application and overall goal. In traditional Chinese acupuncture evaluation utilizes examination of the tongue and pulse, insertion points are founded in knowledge of meridians, and the goal is to balance energy, life force or qi in the body. With dry needling evaluation includes subjective & objective examination of the neuromuscular system, insertions points are based on assessment and knowledge of neuroanatomy, and the overall goal is to restore function.
Dry needling uses very thin filament needles that are nothing like typical needles that most of us are familiar with from vaccinations or blood draws. While most people don’t feel the needle entering through the skin, there can definitely be a sensation. You will also experience a twitching sensation that can be compared to a mild muscle cramp when trigger points are stimulated as part of the healing process. Perceptions of the experience can vary by patient based on pain sensitivity.
Yes, chiropractors are authorized to provide dry needling services to patients. Dr. Christopher Dorsa has undergone intensive training to be able to offer this therapy to patients at Pro Performance Chiropractic in Thornton, Colorado.