Whether by their own initiative or by a doctor’s orders, many people choose to visit physical therapists for treating pain and injuries. Physical therapists are licensed healthcare professionals who specialize in treating conditions that affect your musculoskeletal system. This includes the bones, joints, muscles and connective tissues in your body.
Physical therapists have many techniques and tools at their disposal for treatments. At Excel Sports and Physical Therapy in O’Fallon, Missouri, one technique we use in some of our treatments is dry needling.
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
Dry needling and acupuncture both require the use of needles. That’s about as far as their similarities go.
Acupuncture is the practice of using needles to restore your body’s energy flow. This is not a medically proven practice, though it might feel nice.
Dry needling is a medically proven practice that is used to help reduce pain in your soft tissues. Physical therapists use needles to target specific trigger points in muscles that may be causing tension or restricting mobility.
Who needs dry needling?
Dry needling can be used as part of many treatments, though it is generally used for muscle pain. People with stiff muscles and lots of knots can benefit from dry needling. These people may include:
- Athletes
- Injured workers
- People with fibromyalgia pain
- People with general muscle pain
Dry needling has very few side effects. There may be some initial discomfort from the needle and some light bruising. People who bruise easily may not be good candidates for dry needling. Your physical therapist will review your condition and medical history to determine if dry needling is the right treatment for you.
Contact Excel Sports and Physical Therapy in Winghaven, MO for dry needling
Do you have an injury or chronic condition that is causing muscle pain? Are you interested in treating muscle pain with dry needling? Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
Our Winghaven location:
9331 Phoenix Village Parkway
O’Fallon, Missouri 63368
Excel Sports Physical Therapy serves patients from multiple locations in the St. Louis area. Please visit our locations page to discover other clinics that may be more convenient for you.
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