Athletico Health Resources

Scars aren’t just skin deep; they can carry physical discomfort and emotional weight. But here’s the good news – physical and occupational therapy can work wonders in managing scars from both surgery and other injuries, addressing both the visible and invisible aspects of healing. Let’s dive into how therapy can make a real difference for those dealing with painful scars.

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The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint where your jaw attaches to the temple of the skull. It is a joint that allows you to move your jaw up and down and side to side. This joint is essential for guiding movements required for chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are conditions associated with dysfunction of the joint as well as the associated muscles.

The cause of TMD is still widely unknown. However, the majority of patients with TMD suffer from malpositioning of the TMJ disc, and muscle tightness in the jaw, face, and neck. TMD can present differently in every individual, so a clinical examination is recommended to customize a plan of care. One option for treating TMD is dry needling.

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When someone comes to physical therapy, what exactly are they looking for? The likely answer is to feel better in the quickest amount of time possible. As a new physical therapist, I often opted for manual therapy techniques to help relieve muscle tightness for my patients. Then, I started to add an instrument-assisted technique called Graston to the mix. I later learned about dry needling from my manager, and I saw many of my patients benefit from adding dry needling to their plan of care. What exactly is dry needling, though? And is it right for you?

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The word “needling” might make some feel hesitant about the world of dry needling, but dry needling isn’t as scary as it sounds. In fact, it could be the key to unlocking a pain-free and healthier you. Let’s dive into the world of dry needling and explore why it’s not as intimidating as you might think.

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Most people have experienced some muscle tightness or pain in their lives. Many of those people have gone to get a massage or seen a chiropractor for an “adjustment.” They may have seen slight short-term improvements in their symptoms afterward, but symptoms often tend to return and remain a long-term issue. One popular technique within healthcare that has shown great promise for addressing and managing pain and tightness is dry needling. But what exactly is this “dry needling” we’re referring to?

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Dry needling and acupuncture are two commonly utilized techniques to help treat pain or movement dysfunction. While both dry needling and acupuncture require the insertion of a monofilament needle, there are very few commonalities between the two. Let’s take a closer look at how they are used in practice and how dry needling plays a role in physical therapy.

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You or somebody you know has probably had an episode of low back pain that radiates into one or both legs. This is commonly referred to as sciatica. The sciatic nerve travels from the low back through the hips, glutes, and down into your lower leg. These symptoms are usually caused by disc involvement at a specific segment of the spine applying pressure to the nerve or a tight muscle a bit farther down the line, compressing the nerve.

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Dry needling is a treatment technique that uses a thin needle to treat underlying muscular trigger points and/or areas of tissue tenderness. This technique can be used to treat patients with musculoskeletal issues, including neck pain, low back pain, sciatica, muscle strains, IT band syndrome, plantar fasciitis, fibromyalgia, and many more.

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