Shoulder and neck pain are common complaints among adults and can be caused by a variety of factors. Overuse, injury, poor posture, and age-related conditions can all contribute to pain and discomfort in the neck and shoulders. If you are experiencing chronic pain in these areas, there are many ways that physical therapy techniques can help to treat your symptoms.

One such technique is dry needling. Dry needling uses tiny monofilament needles to penetrate the skin, and this technique is used by licensed physical therapists to treat many different musculoskeletal conditions.

While dry needling is often confused with acupuncture, the two techniques are actually quite different. Dry needling focuses on stimulating muscles to relieve pain and stiffness. Acupuncture is intended to improve the flow of energy to the entire body and is not considered a form of physical therapy.

How does dry needling ease shoulder and neck pain?

1. Targets trigger points — Trigger points are sensitive areas that can form on bands of muscles, such as the shoulder blade or neck muscles, that cause the area to become stiff and painful. Dry needling targets these trigger points by gently manipulating the muscles until they release.
2. Relieves tension — Tension in the shoulder and neck is often caused by tension in the muscles. Dry needling relieves tension by causing deliberate spasms in the muscle. This helps the muscle to loosen, helping you regain your full range of motion.
3. Improves circulation — Dry needling can ease pain in the neck and shoulders by increasing the flow of blood to the area. Restricted blood flow can often contribute to discomfort in the muscles.

Where can I turn for dry needling physical therapy near me?

Our qualified physical therapy specialists at Continuum Wellness are ready to help relieve your shoulder and neck pain, using dry needling as well as other proven physical therapy techniques. Our dry needling therapy can be used to treat a number of common conditions, including:

• Neck and head pain.
• Shoulder tendinitis.
• Muscle spasms and tension.
• Tennis elbow and other sports injuries.

Contact our team today for more information on dry needling near you, and other ways that physical therapy can help to treat your shoulder and neck pain.