Triggerpoint Dry Needling (TDN) is also known as Functional Dry Needling (FDN).
A triggerpoint is an involuntary contraction in the muscle, like a cramp that will not release. To conduct triggerpoint dry needling, a filament needle is used to penetrate a muscle to cause it to twitch and release the taut and painful triggerpoint.
When complemented by other evidence-based physical therapy techniques and corrective exercises, triggerpoint dry needling can produce immediate and effective results.
The insertional pain of the needle is minimal and the muscle twitch is more of a “cramping” sensation with residual soreness typically lasting less than hours. So if your toes curl at the thought of a needle piercing into your muscle, we assure you it’s not that bad. We’ve had it done to us and we can confirm that it’s not even remotely similar to an injection, vaccination or blood donation, as shown in the photo comparison below.
Triggerpoint dry needling is an evidenced-based physical therapy technique that is different from acupuncture. While acupuncture is based on traditional Eastern medicine in which energy and chi may be channeled by the acupuncturist, tirggerpoint dry needling is an evidenced-based technique designed to release painful contracted muscles. In some cases, acupuncture may be used to complement triggerpoint dry needling.
