Dry needling is technique used by physical therapists to treat myofascial pain and soft tissue dysfunction. The term “dry” means a needle that does not have medicine or injection, therefore, dry needling refers to inserting a needle without medication into a muscle or tendon. The goal of dry needling is to increase range of motion and decrease pain. Dry needling is typically used in conjunction with other therapy techniques to help relieve pain and restore proper function of the muscle. Dry needling can also be referred to as functional dry needling or intramuscular manual therapy.

What conditions are treated with dry needling?

Dry needling can be used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal disorders by helping to relax muscle trigger points. Dry needling is an appropriate therapy to treat:

• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Shoulder pain
• Knee pain
• Ankle pain
• Hamstring problems
• Headaches
• Shin splints
• Sports injuries
• Muscle tightness

Is dry needling safe?

Since dry needling involves inserting needles directly into the muscle many people experience immediate relief and are able to move more freely. Dry needling is as safe as most other treatments used by a therapist who is properly trained in using the technique.

We provide quality, comprehensive treatment for patients who are injured or suffering from any type of movement or function disorder.

As a key member of today's dynamic health care team, we prescribe a goal-oriented program of evaluation, treatment, and prevention for our patient's specific needs. 

Conditions we treat include but are not limited to: 

• Orthopedic and sports injuries
• Pre/post surgical rehabilitation
• Back and neck injuries/pain
• Work injuries
• Auto accident injuries

The benefits of physical therapy include: 

• Relief of pain and muscle spasms
• Improved mobility and increased range of motion
• Increased or maintained strength and endurance
• Decreased swelling and inflammation of joints
• Decreased physical stresses

The McKenzie method for neck and lower back pain includes exercises tailored to the patient’s condition that will gradually centralize or remove pain. With the McKenzie approach a licensed physical therapist will perform an initial assessment and then tailor treatment and prevention strategies specific to each patient. These techniques are best learned with the help of a physical therapist trained in the method but once proper technique is learned, the patient is able to perform these exercises in the convenience of their home.

The goal of the McKenzie approach for neck and lower back pain is to centralize the pain by moving it from the extremities to the back. Since typically back pain is better tolerated than pain in the extremities the theory is that the therapist can then treat the source of the pain rather than just the symptoms. Other goals include:

• Help patients learn to manage their own pain
• Expedited reduction in pain
• Return to daily activities
• Help minimize future pain

Conditions treated with McKenzie approach include:

• Ankle pain
• Back pain
• Degenerative disc disease
• Knee pain
• Muscle spasms
• Neck pain
• Sciatica
• SI joint pain
• Shoulder pain

Is the McKenzie approach for neck and lower back pain safe?

When performed by a licensed physical therapist the McKenzie Method is a safe and effective form of physical therapy.

The McKenzie method is offered in many of our clinics!

What is Manual Therapy?

At Greater Therapy Centers we utilize several types of therapy techniques aimed at helping patients recover from pain.  Manual therapy also referred to as manipulative therapy is a hands-on technique to relieve pain and improve range of motion in muscles and joints. Instead of utilizing a machine or device our physical therapists use their hands to apply pressure to particular muscles. This method is used to help decrease pain caused by muscle spasm or joint dysfunction.

Manual therapy helps to restore motion to joints that have been otherwise limited in mobility due to pain. Manipulation, massage and mobilization are three common forms of manual therapy.   With manipulation therapy a licensed physical therapist uses their hands or a small tool to manipulate your muscles and soft tissue to help alleviate pain. Massage therapy is similar to manipulation however it involves working the knots and kinks out of your soft tissues.  For mobilization a physical therapist works on loosening up the joint causing pain.  This is done by moving the joint slowly while increasing the distance of movement directly into the barrier of a joint.

Manual Therapy is used to treat these conditions:

• Headaches
• Low back pain
• Neck pain
• Joint pain
• Sports related injuries

Is manual therapy safe?

Yes.  Manual therapy performed by licensed physical therapists is a safe and effective treatment options for people suffering from pain associated with injuries to the muscles, joint and soft tissue.

At Greater Therapy Centers our licensed physical therapists use stretching and soft tissue mobilization (STM) to help restore function to injured muscles and tissue. STM uses stretching and deep pressure to break up fibrous muscle tissue, also called myofascial adhesions, relax muscle tension and move fluids trapped in the tissues. With this technique our certified physical therapists will determine the area causing the greatest discomfort and work to restore the tissue to its normal texture. This can be done with a variety of tools.

Types of soft tissue mobilization include:

• Strain – Counterstrain
• ASTYM – Graston Technique
• Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
• Manual traction
• Trigger Point Therapy / Myofascial Release
• Cross friction

The benefits of soft tissue mobilization include:

• Reduction in pain
• Regeneration of soft tissue
• Increased mobility
• Improve function
• Faster recovery

What conditions can be treated with soft tissue mobilization?

• Ankle sprains
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Chronic back pain
• Chronic neck pain
• Hip pain
• Knee pain
• Muscle sprains and strains
• Plantar fasciitis
• Scar Tissue
• Shoulder pain
• Shin splints
• Tendinitis
• Post-surgical scarring
• Epicondylitis
• De Quervain’s tenosynovitis

Is stretching and soft tissue mobilization safe?

When performed by a licensed physical therapist soft tissue mobilization is a safe and effective form of physical therapy.

Our sports enhancement program is designed to help you recover from an injury, prevent injury, which simultaneously enhancing your ability to compete. It emphasizes individualized strength and flexibility training, plyometric (intense activity designed to produce fast, powerful muscle movements) and neuromuscular (the relationship between nerves and muscles) coordination activities, and education on safe techniques to promote an unrestricted return to sport, as well as improved athletic performance to aid the prevention of future injury.

Even if you have not had success with other treatments, this program is for you. We address the root cause rather than merely treating symptoms. This results in a more long-lasting result which is highly effective in preventing recurrent problems.

Benefits of Our Sports Enhancement Program:

• Safe, unrestricted return to sport after injury.
• Improved athletic performance.
• Avoid lingering effects of an injury.
• Reduce the risk of re-injury.
• Start seeing immediate results.
• Faster recovery period.
• Learn how to avoid future problems.
• Increased flexibility & movement.
• Increased strength.
• Gain power, coordination, and speed.

How long before benefits are realized?

Depending on the severity of your current condition, results can be noticed in as little as 3 visits. Some severe cases may take longer.

Be Wary Of…

Over-aggressive programs that do not take into account your individual mechanics and medical history.

Falls and fear of falling in our senior population are recognized public health crises.

According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths in older adults by a wide margin. Each year, more than two million seniors experience a fall severe enough to necessitate emergency medical treatment. This number along with the associated personal and societal costs of falling is expected to rise as our population ages. Despite these grim statistics, many falls are preventable with professional interventions that address the causes of falling in older adults.

Our expert clinicians are trained in evidence-based interventions that are proven by controlled clinical trials to effectively reduce the number of falls in older adults.

There are other factors that also contribute to falls. Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's Disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, vestibular disorders, and neuropathy also increase fall risk. Our therapy team is well equipped to address the problems of falling and the fear of falling in individuals living with these conditions.