Dry Needling

Dry Needling is a treatment for muscular tension, tightness, and/or spasm. An injury or chronic pain can lead to “knots,” or trigger points in the muscle which may lead to pain or secondary problems. Dry Needling targets those muscular issues and other surrounding tissues.                                             

Dry Needling treatment involves reducing or eliminating these trigger points by inserting a thin filament needle into the affected muscle. This will typically cause muscle relaxation, which will then alleviate pain and dysfunction. Many patients experience dramatic and oftentimes immediate relief in their symptoms.  Dry Needling is often part of a broader physical therapy approach incorporating other traditional physical therapy interventions into treatment. 

Dry Needling provides relief for TMJ patients:        

Working together with dentists and oral surgeons, Makovicka physical therapists may provide relief of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Manual physical therapy includes hands-on techniques to improve joint motion and reduce, trigger points around the jaw to alleviate stress on the disk and joint.

Dry Needling is a treatment offered by Makovicka Physical Therapy and it has proven extremely effective in treating muscle tension or trigger points. Dry Needling can target masseter and temporalis muscles that are spasming and causing your jaw to misalign—frequently causing headaches. Often, Dry Needling will release the muscle spasm allowing your jaw muscles to
return to a relaxed state.

Range of motion and strengthening exercises are also provided to restore the proper function of the muscles surrounding the TMJ. We are happy to work in conjunction with medical professionals to offer the most comprehensive and effective treatment possible.