Benefits of Functional Dry Needling
By Dr April Mettler – CC’s Staff
Top Three Benefits of Functional Dry Needling
If you haven’t heard about all the incredible benefits of Functional Dry Needling (FDN), then I am so happy you are here! FDN has been around for many years and the research behind it and its popularity have gained huge traction since I began using it as an intervention 12 years ago … .and rightfully so. It has become a cost effective, time efficient, and overall gold standard in treating many musculoskeletal conditions and neuromuscular dysfunctions. Here are the Top 3 Benefits Your Body receives after administration of FDN.
- Decrease tissue tension: A simplified way to look at tight tissue is there is too much of the stuff that causes muscle contraction and not enough of the things that cause muscle relaxation. When a needle penetrates these muscle tissues, it brings the tissue into a more homeostatic balance of contraction/relaxation and your body’s ability to adjust and control for that. Post treatment, LENGTHEN these short structures.
- Improved motor output: This is HUGE! It is not too often we come across an intervention that actually makes your muscles work better immediately! Let’s simplify again by stating that dysfunctional muscles or muscles that have been injured react to injury or trauma with a decreased motor output, meaning muscle fibers in your muscle bellies quit doing their job. After FDN is administered, these muscle fibers come back to work and do their job improving overall motor output translating to increased strength. Post treatment, load those muscles to reinforce this work in those newly firing tissues!
- Decreased pain: Cranky muscles create nociceptive input telling your brain something is not OK. When your brain receives nociception, it translates it back to your body as pain in the location where input was received. If the pain is coming from the muscle treated with FDN, it decreases nociception to the brain which results in decreased pain to the tissues affected! This is just an example of the direct effects of FDN on pain but we can’t forget how the two previously mentioned benefits almost always result in reduced pain also.
As you can see, the benefits almost always outweigh the risks associated with FDN. Consult with your physical therapist to see if this treatment is appropriate for you and your concerns!
To learn about how CC’s can help you, check out our team or give our office a call today!
Post Author: April Mettler
April is a mom, wife, and PT. She is passionate, authentic, and willing to go the extra mile for your care. When she isn’t in the office, she loves spending time with her husband and three kids running to hockey games, and aspiring to be the next “Medicine Woman.”
