Each of our physical therapists have advanced credentialing in a technique known as Trigger Point Dry Needling (TDN or Dry Needling).  While this technique is relatively new to the U.S., doctors and physical therapists have been using it in Canada and Europe with great results.  Leon Bradway has been using this technique with great results for the past 10 years and introduced it to the Brazos Valley several years ago.  Patient are often amazed at how quickly the technique works.

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Basically, when you have muscle tightness, pain or spasms, the tightening and spasms can cause nerve compression and irritation.  When the nerves are irritated, they produce a protective spasm that radiates to all connected muscles.  These sensitive pain creating spots are called trigger points.  Trigger points can cause peripheral diagnoses such as carpal tunnel, tendonitis, osteoarthritis, decreased mobility, and chronic pain.  In essence trigger points create and sustain pain, inflexibility, tightness and weakness.

With Dry Needling a small thin needle is inserted in to the trigger point at the neuromuscular junction where the pain originates.  The needles are thin and solid, unlike the hollow needles used to inject medication into the body and thus most patients do not notice when the needle is inserted into the skin.  When the needle is inserted into the trigger point it causes the muscle to twitch which is followed by an immediate release of tightness allowing blood to flow into the area, accelerating the healing process.   The result is reduced pain, often much more quickly than traditional methods.  In addition, patients experience increased flexibility and range of motion.

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It is very important that the person “dry needling” you have the necessary training, skill, and experience.  In Leon’s case, he has 25 years of experience in physical therapy, advanced credentialing in manual therapy, advanced credentialing in NCV/EMG, and advanced training in Trigger Point Dry Needling, having taken the most advanced courses offered in the United States and Canada.