Not being able to compete in sport or participate in your favorite activity due to pain is frustrating. Finding a solution to try to move better, feel better, and perform better is vital. Ultrasound dry needling is one tool that Spooner therapists use to help you return to activity.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a treatment performed by a licensed physical therapist to treat myofascial trigger points, tendonitis, and ligamentous healing. It works by creating an environment that leads to healing. Repeated needling disrupts the chronic inflammatory process and leads to growth factor release and collagen formation.
To learn more about Dry Needling, read “Dry Needling 101” on the Spooner Blog!
Dry needling is linked to improving athletic performance.
Athletes who were dry needled in their calf muscles gained 1.2 inches on their jump versus the placebo group.2 In another study, 15 elite soccer players were dry needled on their thigh muscles- including their quads and hamstrings- and 15 elite soccer players received a placebo treatment. After 4 weeks, the dry needling group showed significant improvements in both knee extension, strength, and endurance. They also had further improvements at 8 weeks.2,3
What is Ultrasound Dry Needling?
Ultrasound dry needling utilizes ultrasound imaging to increase the accuracy of dry needling treatment to a specific area of the body. With ultrasound dry needling, you can visually see what part of the tendon has tendonitis or tendinosis and insert the needle directly into the affected area. Your physical therapist will be able to visually confirm that the needle is treating the root cause of your pain.
This does not replace traditional dry needling. Dry needling is an incredibly effective treatment. USDN elevates the treatment with increased accuracy so you can return to the activities you love quickly.
Who does Ultrasound Dry Needling Work Best For?
Athletes and active individuals that need to get back to performance quickly. Dry needling can reduce restrictions in muscle tissue and allows for optimal muscle contraction, which can improve function. The increased accuracy of the needle placement can speed healing time and may help them get back to sport faster.
At Spooner we are offering this exclusive treatment at Spooner Phoenix with Joey Weber, PT, DPT and Spooner Uptown Chandler with Benjamin Kelto, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS.
If you have questions about ultrasound dry needling or want to see if this treatment is right for you, schedule an appointment today!
References:
- David Krey, James Borchers & Kendra McCamey (2015) Tendon needling for treatment of tendinopathy: A systematic review, The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 43:1, 80-86, DOI: 10.1080/00913847.2015.1004296PT
- Bandy WD, Nelson R, Beamer L. Comparison of Dry Needling vs Sham in the Performance of Vertical Jump. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2017 Oct;12(5):747-751. PMID: 29181252; PMCID: PMC5685412.
- Ross KM, McMurray M. Dry Needling Increased Muscle Thickness in a Subject with Persisten Muscle Dysfunction: A Case Report. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2017 Jun;12(3):468-475. PMID: 28593101; PMCID: PMC5455196.
- Haser C, Stoggl T, Kriner M, Mikoleit J, Wolfahrt B, Scherr J, Halle M, Pfab F. Effect of Dry Needling on Thigh Muscle Strength and Hip Flexion in Elite Soccer Players. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 49(2):p 378-383, February 2017. DOI: