Idaho joins more than 40 other states in allowing patients access to dry needling provided by Physical Therapists.

What is Dry Needling?

Dry Needling is a very effective form of manual therapy that uses very thin needles inserted in your muscle tissue. Dry needling is used to treat pain and dysfunction caused by trigger point muscle problems, nerve problems, headaches, and chronic pain. Dry needling is NOT Traditional Chinese Acupuncture as it does not treat traditional Chinese energy lines. Dry needling is a modern, science-based intervention and requires a medical diagnosis to treat pain and dysfunction in musculoskeletal conditions.

In other words, Dry needling is used to stimulate neural, muscular and connective tissues for the management of musculoskeletal conditions, pain, and movement-related impairments. Dry needling changes the way your body “perceives” pain by helping your body heal itself through releasing tight muscle tissues (trigger points). Dry needling also stimulates additional electrical and chemical effects in your body which assist the healing process of your muscles. It is important to stay active and keep up with a Home Exercise Program following dry needling to maintain good flexibility in your muscles and assist the healing process. Dry needling procedures may need to be performed for several sessions to reduce your pain. Many conditions that were traditionally hard to treat including Plantar Fasciitis, Muscle spasms, Achilles tendonitis, Hip bursitis, Headaches, Back pain, & Tennis elbow are just some of the diagnosis that Dry Needling is used to treat successfully.

Dry Needling as an Opioid Alternative?

With the high number of opioid-addicted patients in Idaho, many are searching for alternative methods for pain management. Dry needling, is one method that has healthcare providers hopeful. According to the CDC latest data,  In 2017, Idaho providers wrote 70.3 opioid prescriptions for every 100 persons. This is higher than the national average of 58.7 opioid prescriptions. At Kauai Therapy & Wellness a lot of people feel immediate relief within the first session, and most get this treatment twice a week for a few weeks. What some are saying about their experience with Dry Needling:

“I have been plauged with pain in my foot & knee for the past five years. No one has been able to help me like Kauai Therapy & Wellness. Unbelievable! I have only had a few treatments involving dry needling & already I am starting to be able to climb the stairs again!“ Lori (Peaches) from Sandpoint, Idaho.

Your physical therapist should be appropriately trained and certified in providing dry needling techniques, and will display the (Cert. DN.) credentials to indicate this level of training. The therapists will choose the appropriate size and thickness needle for treating your condition based on your body size and muscle tissue thickness. While Dry Needling is an effective treatment for musculoskeletal pain, it does pose potential side-effects. While these side-effects are normal and/or rare in occurrence, they must be considered prior to giving consent to treatment. Dry Needling is covered by medical insurance.

Garrett Fischer, DPT of Kauai Therapy & Wellness (Ponderay Location) currently holds certifications in dry needling (Cert. DN.) from the Dry Needling Institute.