Saco Bay is hosting a free educational series on dry needling on April 12 at the Impact Fitness Center in Westbrook. Dry needling is a modern medical technique aimed at relieving myofascial trigger points, and while effective for various pain conditions, it may cause temporary soreness and bruising. Participants will learn about the procedure, its benefits, and recommended treatment frequency, with an emphasis on combining dry needling with other therapies for optimal results.

1. Saco Bay is hosting a complimentary educational series
focusing on Dry Needling! Join us on Wednesday, April 12 from
5:15 to 5:30 at Impact Fitness Center in Westbrook to learn
more!
Dry Needling (DN), also known as Intramuscular Manual Therapy
/Trigger Point Dry Needling, is a modern Western medical modality. DN is
a procedure where filiform needles are used to deactivate myofascial trigger points. It is not acupuncture.
Clinical Procedure – DN is considered a physical medicine modality that does not require any
specialized equipment. Therefore, patients do not need to do any type of preparation for this procedure.
Patients typically report immediate pain relief that can last a few hours to a few weeks. Frequency of
treatment is different for individuals; however it is recommended that repeat DN not be done on the same
areas within 48-72 hours. For the maximum results, DN is used with other modalities and exercises in the
center.
Mechanism of Action – The underlying mechanism of action in DN is still not well understood. However,
it appears to allow muscle spasms to relax and inhibit pain at a local and systemic level. Studies have
found that a chronic muscle spasm contains elevated levels of pro-inflammatory chemicals. These
chemicals contribute to the pain-spasm cycle. DN has been found to lower these chemicals through a
combination of muscle relaxation and release of powerful pain inhibiting chemicals released by your
nervous system.
What type of conditions can be treated with dry needling? Dry needling can be used to treat low
back and neck pain (including radiculopathy), shoulder and arm pain (tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome,
impingement), hip and leg pain (sciatica, muscle strain, calf tightness/spasm), foot (ankle sprain, Achilles
tendonitis, plantar fasciitis), headache, face and jaw (TMJ) pain, fibromyalgia.
Are there side effects/complications after treatment? Most patients will feel soreness from a few
hours to two days, which is the normal response from dry needling. Bruising is expected sometimes
within blood vessel areas. Any time needles are used there is a risk of infection. However, at Saco Bay,
the therapist uses a single packed/disposable and sterile needle during treatment.
For more information about dry needling, please contact a Saco Bay center near you today and be sure
to join us for the educational series on April 12!
Saco Bay Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy
Impact Fitness Center Westbrook
39 Mechanic Street
Westbrook, ME 04092
P: 207.854.1239 – F: 207.854.1230
Saco Bay Educational
Series – Dry Needling