Chronic pain can become debilitating and discouraging. Many people dealing with chronic pain aren’t aware that there are other treatments to help them such as dry needling.
Two areas of pain that are commonly chronic and troublesome that I help folks deal with are TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction and elbow pain such as tennis elbow.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is when thin needles are inserted into trigger points within muscles. Trigger points are tight bands of muscle fibers that cause pain, tightness, and restrict movement. Think about that knot you get between your neck and shoulder when you're really stressed out for example. That's a trigger point.
The trigger point is skillfully located, and the needle is inserted into that spot. It stimulates a local twitch response which helps release muscle tension, improve blood flow, and pain. Dry needling is commonly included within comprehensive plans of care with me at Outshine to help get you back to the activities you love as quickly and safely as possible.
The Role of Dry Needling for Treating Specialized Conditions: TMJ Dysfunction and Tennis Elbow
Treating TMJ Dysfunction with Dry Needling
Your TMJ is the joint of your jaw. TMJ dysfunction typically causes issues such as pain, clicking/popping, difficulty opening your jaw or chewing, and can contribute to neck pain and headaches.
Dry needling is a safe method of treatment used to target the muscles surrounding the jaw to improve tension, pain, and function of the jaw. I have seen this have a huge impact on the quality of life of my patients and I am trained in treating the complexities of TMJ dysfunction.
Treating Elbow Pain with Dry Needling
There are many reasons that you could be experiencing elbow pain (a Doctor of Physical Therapy like me can help you determine the root cause of your elbow pain). If you are dealing with tennis elbow, aka lateral epicondylitis, then dry needling can be very successful in improving your symptoms.
Tennis elbow is an overuse injury to the forearm tendons that causes pain at the elbow. It is common in athletes such as tennis players as well as those who work with their hands such as plumbers. When the tendon is involved, it is important to treat the muscles that attach to that tendon. That’s where dry needling can help to improve the pain, tightness, and dysfunction occurring in the forearm.
Why choose Outshine for Dry Needling?
While I have over 3 years of daily dry needling experience and have successfully treated a vast assortment of orthopedic conditions, that’s not exclusively why you should come in to see me.
I believe strongly in comprehensive assessments and individualized treatment plans. This means that to successfully use dry needling in your plan of care, we need to be targeting the correct root cause of your symptoms. This is where a thorough initial evaluation is crucial.
We also can’t rely on dry needling to solve all of your problems. Dry needling is an incredibly effective and efficient treatment method. But for long-lasting changes in your symptoms, we have to improve how you MOVE and get you STRONGER. I help you blend rehab and strength training with the manual work necessary early in a plan of care. This is where the magic happens.
Lastly, and most importantly, I REALLY care about my patients. You all mean the world to me. Doing what is best for you and helping you get amazing outcomes is my highest priority.
If you’re in Asheville or other surrounding areas such as Arden, Fletcher, Biltmore Forest, Hendersonville, Mills River, Fairview, or Etowah then schedule your free phone consult. I chat with everyone personally so I can learn more about you, your symptoms, your goals, and tell you more about me.
-Dr. Sieara Hinshaw
828-808-3704
Комментарии