Dry Needling

Dry Needling is also known as intramuscular stimulation (IMS) and trigger point dry needling (TDN). It is a safe, effective and efficient treatment used to relax myofascial trigger points and restore normal muscle tones, muscle length, coordination, function and strength

Dry Needling for Pain Relief in West Jordan and Lehi

Dry Needling is a treatment technique often used by physical therapists to relieve pain. It requires using a sterile acupuncture needle that is inserted through the skin into muscles, tendons, ligaments, and/or close to nerves to immediately reduce pain, decrease muscle tension and increase mobility. Dry Needling is not acupuncture; it is based on a modern scientific study of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. This treatment technique provides an environment that enhances the body’s ability to heal which ultimately reduces pain.

Dry Needling Process

Dry needling involves insertion and repetitive manipulation of a “dry”, solid filament needle in a trigger point in order to produce an involuntary spinal cord reflex, also known as a local twitch response (LTR). This results in lasting muscle relaxation due to the release of shortened bands of muscle fibers for overactive (tight) muscles or the activation of under-active (weak) muscles. Deactivation of the trigger points can bring immediate relief of symptoms, so the therapist can immediately train the muscles to work with the newly gained pain free range of motion (ROM).

Dry needling is backed by scientific research as well as a modern Western medical practice. Dry needling is a neurophysiological evidence-based treatment technique and an effective treatment for chronic pain and other musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, rotator cuff tendonitis, reduced range of motion, repetitive motion disorders, like carpal tunnel syndrome, scar-tissue buildup, disk, and spinal problems, myofascial pain, and a lot more with pelvic floor conditions. To achieve the full effects of dry needling, most patients require at least 8 to 10 sessions in the office, however, others may require more office visits depending on the chronicity of symptoms. Depending on your condition, dry needling can be performed once or twice a week.

Dry Needling Vs. Acupuncture

Dry needling is similar to acupuncture in the sense that a dry, solid filament needle is inserted and manipulated under the skin to release endorphins and serum cortisol for pain relief. The difference is that dry needling is based on western neuroanatomy and modern scientific study of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It creates balance in the body by influencing the flow of Qi (energy) in pathways called meridians to achieve pain relief and alleviate inflammation.

Who Benefits from Dry Needling?

Dry Needling can provide relief to muscular tissue presenting with these taught points or bands presenting from most causes. These points, colloquially known as “knots” in our muscles, are easy for patients to self-identify. They will often feel like a small marble or ball of tender, hard tissue within the belly of a muscle. They will often also result in immediate referral of pain down a region as if pressing on a nerve when palpated. This therapy is specifically designed to address these tense regions within our muscles and can be utilized in almost any patient with this presentation.

Patients with bleeding disorders, extreme fear of needles, on medications that prevent clotting or promote excessive coagulation, or with tender points directly near vital neural or vascular tissue may be identified as contraindicated to this treatment by a practitioner.

Conditions Treated By Dry Needling

Dry needling has successfully been used to treat a variety of conditions including:

  • Head and Neck Pain – including whiplash and headaches / migraines, degenerative joint disease, degenerative disk disease or osteoarthritis
  • Otological (Ear) and Opthamological (Eye) Pain – including tinnitus and eye strain
  • Dental (Teeth) and Orthodontic (Jaw and Occlusal) Pain – including cavities, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, tooth impaction and root problem
  • Shoulder Pain – including rotator cuff muscle tears, bursitis, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), tendonitis and impingement syndrome
  • Elbow Pain – including lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow)
  • Hand and Wrist Pain – including gamekeeper’s thumb, DeQuervain’s syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis
  • Back and Hip Pain – including lumbar degenerative disc disease, arthritic changes and herniated discs
  • Knee Pain – including degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis
    Shin / Ankle / Foot Pain – including shin splints, gout, metatarsalgia and Morton’s neuroma
  • Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)
  • Acute Tendonitis (also spelled Tendinitis) and Chronic Tendinosis (also known as Tendinopathy)
  • Athletic and Sports-related Overuse Injuries
  • Post-surgical Pain
  • Post-traumatic Injuries, Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA), and Work-related Injuries
  • Other Chronic Pain Conditions – including myofascial pain and myofascial pain syndrome (MPS)

Dry Needling Results

Most patients attempting Dry Needling will notice decreases in their affecting symptoms immediately. Due to the various causes of tender points such as muscular overuse, stress, or tissue trauma, additional interventions like targeted tissue loading through resistance training, flexibility training, mindfulness activities, and gradual exposure programs may be necessary to maintain these decreases and multiple sessions of intervention may be required over time to maintain relief depending on the cause and chronicity of your pain. You and your provider will be able to assess these causes and factors at your initial evaluation to determine an individualized plan of care to optimize your results with Dry Needling!

You Can Count On Us

Dry Needling is a powerful treatment technique that when in conjunction with our other physical therapy treatments, can help you relieve your pain and improve your function quickly. Contact us today to learn more about our dry needling therapy.

Want To Get Relief Faster?

Choose which option works best for you

Dr. Anna Tunik, PT, DPT, is a licensed pelvic health and orthopedic physical therapist based in Northern Virginia. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Nutrition and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Simmons University in Boston, MA.

With over four years of experience as a practicing physical therapist, Dr. Anna has worked in diverse settings, including nursing homes, home health care, stroke rehabilitation, post-surgical joint replacement recovery, general sports orthopedics, and pelvic health. Her experience as a traveling physical therapist has allowed her to acquire a wide range of skills and techniques, which she now applies to treat clients of all ages and conditions.

Through her varied career, Dr. Anna discovered her passion for pelvic health and enjoys working with women dealing with pelvic pain, urinary dysfunction, pregnancy and postpartum recovery, and sexual dysfunction. Having personally experienced pelvic floor dysfunction, she deeply understands its impact on daily life and the transformative power of pelvic floor rehabilitation.

In her practice, Dr. Anna combines personalized exercises, manual therapy—including dry needling, massage, and fascial release—and movement analysis to identify and address abnormal patterns contributing to dysfunction. Her goal is to help clients feel better and stronger both quickly and for the long term.

Outside of work, Anna enjoys spending quality time with loved ones, hiking, crocheting, exploring new destinations, cooking, and unwinding with a good book or movie.

Education and Certifications:
Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Pelvic Health Expert

Dr. Lindsay Durand Massumi, PT, DPT, is a licensed pelvic health and orthopedic physical therapist and health coach practicing in Leesburg and Chantilly. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Creighton University in Omaha, NE, and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the prestigious Washington University in St. Louis Medical School.

Growing up a competitive gymnast, dancer, and track athlete, Lindsay always knew she wanted to enter the field of physical therapy. Dr. Lindsay then discovered pelvic health physical therapy as an undergrad and completed her first independent research study on joint mechanics of walking in high heel shoes. Since undergrad, Dr. Lindsay has been involved in conducting and promoting physical therapy research to advance outcomes for patients suffering from low back pain and pelvic floor dysfunction. For three years, Lindsay was responsible for the dissemination of pelvic and women’s health research for the Academy of Pelvic Health, helping to advance current evidence and practice in the field.

Before becoming a physical therapist, Dr. Lindsay worked as a personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach, which helped her discover her passion for strength training and teaching women to lift weights. She has nearly a decade of experience in personal training and coaching athletes of all ages. Lindsay is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Academy of Pelvic Health, where she has served in multiple leadership roles and volunteer positions.

Lindsay loves using social media to spread the word about pelvic health physical therapy and wants everyone to realize the benefits that exist from connecting with your pelvic floor. Having experienced pelvic floor dysfunction herself, Dr. Lindsay understands how impactful rehabbing your pelvic floor can be; for her, it was life-changing. With her clients, Dr. Lindsay uses a combination of movement analysis, prescriptive exercise, and manual techniques (myofascial release, dry needling, taping, IASTM, and more) to help people get out of pain fast and achieve long-lasting results. In her free time, Lindsay enjoys hiking, working out, practicing her handstands, and spending time with her husband, family, and cats. Lindsay is currently going through her own pregnancy journey and is looking forward to rehabbing her core and pelvic floor alongside her clients in the immediate postpartum period.

Education and Certifications:
Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Pelvic Health Expert

Dr. Lindsay Durand Massumi, PT, DPT, is a licensed pelvic health and orthopedic physical therapist and health coach practicing in Leesburg and Chantilly. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Creighton University in Omaha, NE, and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the prestigious Washington University in St. Louis Medical School.

Growing up a competitive gymnast, dancer, and track athlete, Lindsay always knew she wanted to enter the field of physical therapy. Dr. Lindsay then discovered pelvic health physical therapy as an undergrad and completed her first independent research study on joint mechanics of walking in high heel shoes. Since undergrad, Dr. Lindsay has been involved in conducting and promoting physical therapy research to advance outcomes for patients suffering from low back pain and pelvic floor dysfunction. For three years, Lindsay was responsible for the dissemination of pelvic and women’s health research for the Academy of Pelvic Health, helping to advance current evidence and practice in the field.

Before becoming a physical therapist, Dr. Lindsay worked as a personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach, which helped her discover her passion for strength training and teaching women to lift weights. She has nearly a decade of experience in personal training and coaching athletes of all ages. Lindsay is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Academy of Pelvic Health, where she has served in multiple leadership roles and volunteer positions.

Lindsay loves using social media to spread the word about pelvic health physical therapy and wants everyone to realize the benefits that exist from connecting with your pelvic floor. Having experienced pelvic floor dysfunction herself, Dr. Lindsay understands how impactful rehabbing your pelvic floor can be; for her, it was life-changing. With her clients, Dr. Lindsay uses a combination of movement analysis, prescriptive exercise, and manual techniques (myofascial release, dry needling, taping, IASTM, and more) to help people get out of pain fast and achieve long-lasting results. In her free time, Lindsay enjoys hiking, working out, practicing her handstands, and spending time with her husband, family, and cats. Lindsay is currently going through her own pregnancy journey and is looking forward to rehabbing her core and pelvic floor alongside her clients in the immediate postpartum period.

Education and Certifications:
Orthopedics, Sports, and Pain Science Expert

Meet Dr. Cameron Massumi, a trailblazer in the health and wellness space committed to providing exceptional personalized care. With a wealth of expertise in orthopedics and sports rehabilitation, injury prevention, and holistic wellness, he has built a reputation as the go-to expert in the Leesburg and Chantilly community.

As a distinguished physical therapist, Dr. Massumi has extensive experience working with athletes, older adults, and individuals with various conditions, from chronic pain to post-operative recovery (and everything in between). Dr. Massumi’s certifications in myofascial trigger point therapy and advanced skills in strength and conditioning and blood flow restriction training demonstrate his dedication to staying at the forefront of the industry.

What sets Dr. Massumi apart from other physical therapists is his dedication to taking a holistic approach to wellness. He understands that an injury or condition isn’t just a physical problem; it can also affect a person’s mental and emotional health. That’s why he takes the time to understand his client’s lifestyles and goals, creating customized solutions that not only treat the problem but empower them with the knowledge and skillset to optimize their health and well-being for the rest of their lives.

Beyond his practice, Dr. Massumi is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association. He has held leadership roles and contributed to the development of the APTA’s telehealth certification course. He is also a sought-after speaker, sharing his expertise and advancing the profession through his contributions to research, education, and health policy.

When he’s not working, Dr. Massumi loves to explore the great outdoors. He enjoys hiking, playing sports, and photography. He is a lifelong learner, continually pursuing education through reading and coursework. Dr. Massumi and his wife are excitedly awaiting the arrival of their first child in the Spring of 2023, hoping their little one will one day follow in their footsteps.

If you are seeking a dedicated, knowledgeable, and compassionate physical therapist or health coach, look no further than Dr. Cameron Massumi. He provides the guidance and support necessary for clients to achieve optimal health and wellness, making him the ultimate choice in the industry.

Education and Certifications: