For patients with muscle pain or range of motion limited by sore or stiff muscles, the physical therapists at Prowers Medical Center offer a treatment you might not have heard of to help ease your pain and get you moving again. It’s called functional dry needling (FDN).

In FDN, physical therapists insert very fine needles through the skin to penetrate the muscles below. This treats trigger points, improves neuromuscular control and releases tension in the targeted area.

“Dry needling is a skilled technique that’s becoming increasingly popular in the United States,” said Steve White, Doctor of Physical Therapy, who’s been certified in FDN since 2014. His Prowers Medical Center colleagues Darren Robbins, Nick Durst and Travis Hall, also Doctors of Physical Therapy, are FDN certified as well. In fact, Durst and Robbins were among the first FDN practitioners in Colorado.

Interested in FDN?

To learn more about Functional Dry Needling at Prowers Medical Center or to schedule an appointment, call Rehabilitation Services at 719-336-6728 or visit prowersmedical.com

What Conditions Is FDN Used for?

FDN can treat a number of conditions. It is primarily used to relieve acute or chronic muscle pain and tension. It can also improve muscle function after a back or neck injury, increase the range of motion around a joint that has been restricted by muscle injury, increase strength and endurance, and more.

What Is FDN Like for the Patient?

“The FDN needles are very skinny,” White said. “Often the patient doesn’t even feel the needle prick at all.”

“We choose needles based on the depth of the tissue we are targeting,” Robbins said. “Once a needle is inserted, electrical stimulation is often applied to the needle. This allows for a neuromuscular reset of the muscle. The patient feels a small involuntary contraction of the muscle, but it should not be painful. If at any time during treatment the patient is uncomfortable, we remove the needles immediately.”

FDN sessions take anywhere from a few minutes up to half an hour. One or two treatments often suffice, but patients with chronic issues may need more. FDN can be done as part of a larger physical-therapy treatment plan or as a stand-alone therapy.

Is FDN the Same as Acupuncture?

While the therapies are similar, they are not the same.

“Acupuncture follows the traditional Chinese concept of chi, or the flow of energy inside the body,” White said. “Needles are inserted into chi points to help alter and direct the flow of energy to promote healing. In FDN, on the other hand, needles are placed directly into pained muscles to treat trigger points.”

“In FDN we use needles to reach muscles that can’t be massaged or manually manipulated from outside the body because they’re too deep,” Robbins said.

FDN Results Can Be Dramatic

All four Prowers Medical Center physical therapists have seen marked improvements in patients treated with FDN.

“I’ve evaluated many patients who’ve struggled with chronic headaches or neck pain and haven’t found relief from other treatments,” White said. “They’re often distressed and depressed about their situation. After just a few FDN treatments, they begin to see gains, and their whole quality of life changes for the better.”

“The best results I’ve seen are for acute sports injuries,” Robbins said, “such as hip flexor and adductor strains, calf strains or even chronic pain from overuse overhead activities like volleyball or baseball.”

FDN is only offered as a cash pay service at $45 per visit and a prescription or doctor’s order is not required

“FDN is a great option for pain control,” Robbins said. “It’s simple and inexpensive, and it provides fast results.”