TWITCHING THE PAIN AWAY Functional dry needling is the latest technique used by physical therapists at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine to help quell acute or chronic pain associated with a musculoskeletal injury. “This procedure involves insertion of a solid fine filament needle into a trigger point, a small knot or painful area in a muscle to stimulate a small twitch,” said Matt Holland, PT, CSCS, Houston Methodist physical therapist. “The twitch can help release tight muscles and decrease pain.” Insertion of the fine filament needles causes little discomfort in healthy muscles. If the muscle is sensitive, a brief cramping sensation — referred to as a “twitch response” — can occur. A National Institutes of Health study demonstrated that the twitch response can cause favorable biochemical changes that help to ameliorate pain and appears to be the first step in stopping the cycle of pain. “This is a great tool for athletes to decrease muscle soreness, increase muscle function, and increase flexibility,” said Geoff Kaplan, Houston Texans director of sports medicine and head athletic trainer. “The research behind functional dry needling supports the benefits to patients, but the biggest reason we use it regularly with our players is because our athletes feel significantly better after the procedure.” Dry needling can be used to treat a variety of conditions and provide pain relief. Treatment with functional dry needling requires an assessment of the deficits in the musculoskeletal system and identification of the trigger points associated with those deficits. Any muscle that contains a trigger point can benefit from dry needling. Common treatment areas are the neck, shoulder, hip, quadriceps, foot and ankle.
PHOTO: Brett Coomer/®©Houston Chronicle Used with permission.
“ This is a great tool for athletes to decrease muscle soreness, increase muscle function, and increase flexibility.” GEOFF KAPLAN, HOUSTON TEXANS DIRECTOR OF SPORTS MEDICINE AND HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER
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