Dry Needling is an effective therapy to treat muscular tension, trigger points, soft tissue pain and spasm. These painful soft tissue conditions are often associated with arthritis, nerve irritation, muscular strain, ligament strains and herniated discs. Dry Needling is called “Dry” because there is no medication injected as traditional trigger point injections. With Dry Needling, the needle itself and the effects it produces within the tissue is the treatment.
When tissue is damaged and irritated it contracts. This contracture causes inflammation which causes the circulation to decrease which can cause the tissue to not get enough oxygen to the injury and can allow metabolic waste products to build up in the soft tissues and can cause pain. Scarring in the tissue results from the low oxygen in the tissue stimulating fibrosis. This causes restrictions in the tissue resulting in lengthening or shortening and nerve irritation. Dry Needling corrects this dysfunction.
Most of our patients report feeling little to no discomfort when undergoing dry needling treatments. Our doctors know how to make the process as painless as possible. Infrequently, there is ongoing muscle soreness for 24-48 hours following a dry needling treatment which usually resolves on its own. After a session if there is some soreness using ice and/or heat packs and drinking plenty of fluids can help.
Myofascial trigger points and tender points which appear in soft tissue, and are painful sites, reflect abnormal nervous system activity associated with many neuro-musculo-skeletal conditions that are treated in our office. The procedure known as Dry Needling is an important tool for diagnosing, treating and monitoring changes in myofascial trigger/tender points. During this procedure, a sterile, very thin, solid filament needle is inserted into tissue that may be associated with one or a number of your complaints. One or a number of needles may be used, and the procedure may be performed during more than one office visit. The number of needles, and the frequency of the procedure will depend entirely on your condition at each office visit. There is little to no pain with this procedure. There is little to no bleeding with this procedure. While an infection is an unlikely event with this procedure, whenever there is penetration of the skin, there is the risk of infection. Other unlikely but possible events include fainting, soreness, or pneumothorax (lung puncture).
Most of our patients report feeling little to no discomfort when undergoing dry needling treatments. Our doctors know how to make the process as painless as possible. Infrequently, there is ongoing muscle soreness for 24-48 hours following a dry needling treatment which usually resolves on its own. After a session if there is some soreness using ice and/or heat packs and drinking plenty of fluids can help.
Myofascial trigger points and tender points which appear in soft tissue, and are painful sites, reflect abnormal nervous system activity associated with many neuro-musculo-skeletal conditions that are treated in our office. The procedure known as Dry Needling is an important tool for diagnosing, treating and monitoring changes in myofascial trigger/tender points. During this procedure, a sterile, very thin, solid filament needle is inserted into tissue that may be associated with one or a number of your complaints. One or a number of needles may be used, and the procedure may be performed during more than one office visit. The number of needles, and the frequency of the procedure will depend entirely on your condition at each office visit. There is little to no pain with this procedure. There is little to no bleeding with this procedure. While an infection is an unlikely event with this procedure, whenever there is penetration of the skin, there is the risk of infection. Other unlikely but possible events include fainting, soreness, or pneumothorax (lung puncture).
Myofascial trigger points and tender points which appear in soft tissue, and are painful sites, reflect abnormal nervous system activity associated with many neuro-musculo-skeletal conditions that are treated in our office. The procedure known as Dry Needling is an important tool for diagnosing, treating and monitoring changes in myofascial trigger/tender points. During this procedure, a sterile, very thin, solid filament needle is inserted into tissue that may be associated with one or a number of your complaints. One or a number of needles may be used, and the procedure may be performed during more than one office visit. The number of needles, and the frequency of the procedure will depend entirely on your condition at each office visit. There is little to no pain with this procedure. There is little to no bleeding with this procedure. While an infection is an unlikely event with this procedure, whenever there is penetration of the skin, there is the risk of infection. Other unlikely but possible events include fainting, soreness, or pneumothorax (lung puncture).
You don’t want to have a full stomach during the Dry Needling, so keep your food limited for an hour or two before the Dry Needle treatment. Where loose fitting clothing that can be manipulated to expose your area of complaint.
Taylor Losee2023-01-11Dr. Ratcliffe and his staff are phenomenal! They are so professional and knowledgeable. The care I receive everytime I make an appointment is wonderful and consistent to my healthcare needs and goals. I would recommend this practice to anyone who wants chiropractic/ functional medicine care.Andrew Julian2023-01-07I have been going to this office for years. The entire experience is of the highest standard. The knowledge is shown from beginning to end. They get results and never sacrifice your needs or concerns for the sake of saving time.Nick Bianco2023-01-07My experience with Dr. Ratcliffe & his entire staff has been nothing short of outstanding! I have been searching for the best chiropractic/body manipulation therapy services in the North Virginia, and NOVA Chiropractic & Rehab definitely takes the cake. I've been to other clinics in this area but they pale in comparison to the treatment, customer service, knowledge/experience and care Dr. Ratcliffe & his staff provide on a consistent basis. It's always a joy to walk through the office doors and know that people there are invested in you and truly want to see you get better. I can't recommend Dr. Ratcliffe and his staff highly enough!Pocono Swan2023-01-06Dr. Ratcliff has unique expertise in identify the causations of the underlying medical conditions which were missed by multiple other doctors. His holistic total body healthcare and treatment approach proofed to be life saving by resolve underlying chronicle contributing conditions. Dr. Bank has very good skills, he provided excellent full body treatment and care. Both Dr. Ratcliff and Dr. Bank are very caring, very personable, and very friendly. His office staff are very friendly and always very helpful.Lisa Chellman2023-01-05This practice and the 2 Doctors of Chiropractic services has been the absolute best I have ever experienced! The last 2 chiropractors used various methods, one used acupuncture, and all was an absolute waste of my time with no noticeable improvements to me lower back issues. Doctors Ratcliffe and Banks (I see them BOTH) have provided me with more relief than anyone else in my past. They have also provided me with a list of exercises I can work on at home, as well as some physical therapy at their office. I always enjoy going to their office to get adjusted and always feel better when I leave. As long as they are in business I will never see any other chiropractors.Deanna Vazquez2023-01-05Dr. J and his team truly care about the health, wellness and providing alternate solutions for injuries and chronic treatments other than surgery and medication for his patients. I've been coming here for almost 2 years. I love seeing both Dr. J and Dr. Banks, so this makes scheduling for me pretty easy! You can book online. Once you are an established patient booking becomes even easier to schedule on their website. If you like smaller personal practices with a comfortable environment, make a visit to see Dr. J and his team. You might even here Dr J singing in the halls. If you are a disabled vet, Dr. J does accept VA referrals. Give them a shot! You wont be disappointed. :)Chaz Cardak2023-01-04I have been seeing him for awhile and my back pain and muscle aches have been resolved. Great environment and friendly staff.Reanetta Siquieros2023-01-03Amazing office. Dr. Ratcliffe is a wonderful chiropractor who helped alleviated my back problems. No more pain. He and his staff are very friendly and they make an effort to get to know you personally. My visits are never a disappointment and I look forward to the treatments I receive. I highly recommend you join their community (the term I prefer) for services.Mariam Barekzoy2022-12-29Dr Ratcliffe is caring and loves what he does, that is key when dealing with patients. He took me on and got to the exact bottom of my pain issues and developed a game plan.Brittannee Bryant2022-12-27NOVA Chiropractic Center has been life-changing for us. Everyone is very polite and makes you feel comfortable. Dr. Ratcliffe answers all of my questions and guides me on things to improve for my health. I wish I found him sooner!