Functional dry needling

Functional Dry Needling (FDN) uses thin filament needles to treat symptoms stemming from a variety of conditions. Our physical therapists and patients have found adding this approach in combination with traditional PT care to be powerfully effective, often providing immediate improvements in both muscle function and pain reduction.

FDN can be utilized in treating muscular tightness, pain, and spasms that can happen from an injury or simply from the changes our bodies undergo over the life span. Symptoms of muscular tightness and spasms may put pressure on the nervous system and impair healthy and normal movements of the joints. In turn causing more pain, loss of functional mobility, and can contribute to conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and osteoarthritis.

Know that only small and very thin needles are used. In fact, most people are unaware when the needle actually goes into the muscle, but may experience a light cramping sensation. In muscles that are sensitive or have active trigger points, you might even feel the muscle twitch, which is a normal response of dysfunctional muscle tissue. The “twitch” is a signal that the muscle is physiologically relaxing and is ready to be retrained to function properly.

This effective treatment technique has been thoroughly studied and utilized internationally for over 50 years. FDN has been successfully utilized in rehabilitation in the United States since the late 90s. In 2011, the Montana Board of Physical Therapy Examiners affirmed that FDN is within the scope of physical therapy practice in Montana. Use of FDN by trained physical therapists is not acupuncture. Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and includes the use of thin needles as one valuable part of their practice. In contrast, dry needling by trained physical therapists is based on a thorough orthopedic evaluation and treatment plan designed to remove barriers to normal health and function, which are the main elements of physical therapy practice. Functional Dry Needling is an effective treatment for many causes of pain and muscle dysfunction, the side effects are minimal and the benefits are tremendous.

Although we recently embraced this new and effective technology, it’s been used internationally for more than 40 years and was introduced in the United States in the late 90s. In August 2011, the Montana Board of Physical Therapy Examiners affirmed that FDN is within the scope of physical therapy practice in Montana.Use of FDN by trained physical therapists is not acupuncture. Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and includes the use of thin needles as one valuable part of their practice. In contrast, dry needling by trained physical therapists is based on a thorough orthopedic evaluation and treatment plan designed to remove barriers to normal health and function, which are the main elements of physical therapy practice. Functional Dry Needling is an effective treatment for many causes of pain, and the side effects are minimal.

Here are examples of conditions we successfully treat with FDN:
Back pain
Bursitis
Headache
IT band syndrome
Muscle strain
Neck pain
Osteoarthritis
Piriformis syndrome
Plantar fasciitis
Sports injuries
Tendonitis
gET sTARTED
1. Call Alpine today to schedule.
2. Arrive 15 minutes early on your first session.