Dry needling
Trigger Point Dry Needling in Westminster, CO
Dry needling releases muscle knots to relieve tension, pain and inflammation. It restores normal nerve and muscle function after an injury or muscle strain.
Free consultation when you call (303) 438-1600.
What is trigger point dry needling?
Trigger point dry needling (TDN) inserts thin acupuncture needles into muscle knots to relieve muscle tension, pain and inflammation. It is a safe and effective treatment for many conditions, including tension headaches, neck pain, back pain and sciatica.
Why is it called dry needling?
TDN is similar to trigger point injections, but no medication is injected into the muscle. It has been shown to have a similar therapeutic effect and is much less painful. It is the needle and not the medication that provides immediate pain relief.
Trigger points can cause pain where the knot is and refer pain to other areas.
How trigger points form
Why do muscles knot up after an injury?
Nerves and muscles work together to help your body move and function normally. When nerves become irritated or damaged, by trauma or chronic compression, the muscles can become weak and painful. The muscles develop knots and bands known as trigger points.
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Irritated nerves send a signal to the brain to protect the area around the damaged muscle.
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The body protects the area by contracting the muscles and immobilizing it.
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Constant inflammation and irritation keep the muscles tightening up and spasming, and trigger points form. This is called the reflex arc.
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TDN reverses this reaction, promotes healing and restores normal, pain-free function.
Where can trigger point pain be felt?
Trigger points cause local pain and stiffness, but can also refer pain and other sensations such as tingling and numbness to the arms, hands, legs and feet. For example, muscle knots in your upper hip area can send pain shooting down a leg (sciatica).
Start treatment now
Find out if dry needling is right for you
Get a free consultation and examination with Dr. Peter Ray. He will diagnose your condition and suggest the best course of action.
Your care
What does a session feel like?
Most people experience little or no pain during a TDN treatment. Some feel a slight muscle twitch or ache when the needle is inserted.
After the treatment, the area may be sore or tender for a few hours. Then you feel a sense of muscle tension release and a marked decrease in pain.
What it helps
- Tension headaches
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Sciatica
- Muscle tension and pain after an injury or muscle strain
Service
What it is
Book
Not sure which treatment you need? You get personal recommendations after your exam.
Certified in dry needling
Dr. Peter Ray, D.C., C. Ac.
Dr. Ray is certified in two forms of acupuncture and pain management techniques: traditional Chinese acupuncture and the trigger point dry needling technique.
He also completed the Whiplash and Brain Injury Traumatology Program at the Spine Research Institute of San Diego.
In practice since 1991.
Professional referrals
We often receive referrals from doctors and other specialists
What distinguishes us is the effective combination of multiple therapies to accelerate recovery.
Dr. Melissa Coomes, MD
New West Physicians, Broomfield, CO
Dr. Dan Austin, MD
Boulder Medical Center, Louisville, CO
Dr. Mike Iannaotti, MD
Sports physician
FAQ
Questions we hear often
What is a trigger point?
A knot or band in a muscle that forms when nerves are irritated or damaged by trauma or chronic compression. It can cause local pain and refer pain to other areas.
How is dry needling different from acupuncture?
Both use thin needles. Dry needling targets muscle knots to release tension and restore nerve and muscle function, while acupuncture stimulates designated points to restore and balance the body's energy, or Qi. Read more about acupuncture.
Does dry needling hurt?
Most people feel little or no pain. You may feel a slight muscle twitch or ache when the needle goes in, and some soreness for a few hours afterward.
What conditions can dry needling help?
Tension headaches, neck pain, back pain and sciatica, among many others.
Who performs dry needling at your Westminster clinic?
Dr. Peter Ray, who is certified in the trigger point dry needling technique. Call (303) 438-1600 with any questions.
Get your life back
Book your dry needling appointment
Free consultation when you call (303) 438-1600. Prefer to text? Send us a message at (303) 438-1600.