That shoulder knot has been your constant companion for months now. You’ve tried everything – deep tissue massage, foam rolling, massage guns, physical therapy, and expensive gadgets that promised relief. Yet every morning, you wake up in pain. Does this sound familiar?
Those stubborn knots in your muscles are trigger points, which require a different approach to treatment than what you may have been trying. Trigger points may refer pain to different areas of your body, and often mimic other diagnoses. Dry needling is an evidenced based treatment that focuses on eliminating trigger points that cause and refer pain.
Many providers abide by the philosophy, “it hurts here, stick a needle here.” Unfortunately, the body does not work that way. Did you know that there are 13 muscles that refer to the shoulder blade, and that most of them are not actually in the shoulder blade region?
As one of a handful of internationally recognized experts in dry needling, my technique and treatment will most likely be different than the needling you may have had in other settings.
Dr. Schlegel is one of a handful of recognized dry needling experts in the country. Recently she was selected by an International Delphi Study to be part of a team of dry needling experts across the world, to provide input on treatment parameters. Dr. SchlegeI trained in and holds certifications in multiple styles of dry needling, allowing her to pick the technique most beneficial to her patients.
Noelle’s expertise in dry needling has led to some incredible opportunities. Dr. Schlegel is a contributing author to the acclaimed medical textbook Trigger Point Dry Needling, 3rd Edition. She is a sought-after guest lecturer across the country, as well as for the Maryland Physical Therapy Association.
Dr. Schlegel serves as a lead instructor and faculty member for Myopain Seminars, a company at the forefront of dry needling innovation and research. A highly acclaimed instructor, Noelle travels the country teaching evidence-based myofascial trigger point dry needling and scar needling to Physicians, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Athletic Trainers, Chiropractors, and Acupuncturists.
My patients often tell me I am the first provider to actually identify and target their source of pain.
Will one dry needling session cure everything? Probably not, though I’ve seen it happen every week. Most patients feel significant relief after their first session. I treat patients one on one, for an hour, and treatments are tailored to your specific needs. Because of the quality of treatment, patients typically only need to attend once per week for several weeks, which equates to less time off work, less time battling traffic, and a quicker return to doing the things you love.
Dry needling is an intervention used to treat musculoskeletal pain. During the procedure, a thin, sterile filiform needle is inserted into a myofascial trigger point (a knot in the muscle) to elicit a local twitch response.
This process helps to release muscle tension, increase blood flow, increase muscle recruitment, and provide immediate relief from chronic pain and stiffness.
The filaments used in dry needling are roughly 20x smaller than the needles used for injections. Although patient experiences vary, most feel a brief “twitch” or a mild ache similar to a muscle cramp during the treatment. That feeling signals that the muscle is relaxing.
The majority of my patients tell me they can’t believe they waited so long to receive this focused, effective treatment.
No, dry needling is not the same as acupuncture. Dry needling and acupuncture use similar thin needles, but the approaches and philosophies are different.
Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and used to balance energy flow (Qi). Dry needling is an evidence-based Western medical treatment used specifically for musculoskeletal pain, scar treatment and neuromuscular dysfunction.
Learn more about the difference between dry needling and acupuncture here.
The number of dry needling sessions needed varies from person to person. Some patients experience immediate, sometimes life-changing results after one session of dry needling. Most feel significant changes in pain, range of motion, strength, and stability within 2-6 visits.
Many patients choose to schedule a “maintenance” visit every 4-8 weeks to keep muscles in prime shape.
First, what does "out-of-network" mean?
An out-of-network provider is a healthcare professional who does not have a contracted agreement with your insurance company. While this may mean paying for services upfront, most patients discover that out-of-network care can provide significant value and long-term savings.
Learn more about how out-of-network/private pay providers save time and money here.
How an out-of-network dry needling provider saves you money:
Out-of-network providers often deliver more personalized, one-on-one care, which allows you achieve better results in fewer visits.
When treatment is more effective and efficient, you may spend less overall compared to attending multiple sessions with a provider who has limited treatment time, and whose treatment time is mandated by insurance codes.
How an out-of-network provider saves you time:
Out-of-network providers offer shorter wait times, more direct access to your provider, and more comprehensive appointments.
Most patients at New Moon Physiotherapy experience faster progress when receiving more comprehensive, individualized treatment sessions.
Fewer visits can mean less time away from work, fewer transportation costs, and lower overall healthcare expenses. One-on-one treatment, especially with my expertise in dry needling, can greatly reduce the number of sessions required.
In many cases, yes. Depending on your insurance plan, you may be eligible for out-of-network reimbursement. Your provider can often supply a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
When evaluating treatment costs, consider:
A lower per-visit cost does not always result in lower overall treatment costs.
Absolutely! My patients find that the improved access, individualized care, and faster results make out-of-network dry needling a worthwhile investment in their health and recovery.
