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 this approach to be powerfully effective, often providing immediate improvement in muscle function and pain reduction.

FDN is a treatment for muscular tightness, pain, and spasm that can happen from an injury or simply from the changes our bodies undergo over the life span. This muscular tightness and spams may put pressure on the nervous system and impair normal movement of the joints. In turn causing pain, loss of function, and contributing to conditions such as,  carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and osteoarthritis . . . along with a loss of mobility and heightened pain.

Know that only small, thin needles are used. In fact, most people are unaware when the needle actually goes into the muscle. Thereafter, you may experience a sensation that feels like a low-grade cramp. It may feel unusual because it’s a new sensation, one you haven’t had before. In muscles that are sensitive or have 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 has tried to release and is ready to be trained to function properly.

Learn more about this advanced form of therapy by watching this brief video.

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.