Trigger Point Dry Needling the Calf
Trigger point dry needling for calf pain
Trigger Point dry needling is a procedure in which a sterile, disposable, solid filament needle is inserted into the skin and muscle directly at a myofascial trigger point. A myofascial trigger point consists of multiple contraction knots, which are related to the production and maintenance of the pain cycle.
The calf muscle, which is located on the back of the lower leg, is predominantly made up of two muscles:
- The gastrocnemius is the larger calf muscle, forming the bulge visible beneath the skin. The gastrocnemius has two parts or “heads,” which together create its diamond shape.
- The soleus is a smaller, flat muscle that lies underneath the gastrocnemius muscle.
The gastrocnemius and soleus muscles taper and merge at the base of the calf muscle. Tough connective tissue at the bottom of the calf muscle merges with the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon inserts into the heel bone. During walking, running, or jumping, the calf muscle pulls the heel up to allow forward movement.
Trigger points of the calves and dry needling
Trigger point dry needling uses a small, solid filament needle which is inserted in a contracted painful knotted muscle to create a local twitch reflex which is both diagnostic and therapeutic as it is the first step in breaking the pain cycle as research shows will decrease muscle contraction, reduce chemical irritation, improve flexibility and decrease pain.
Trigger points of the Gastrocnemius
Trigger points of the Soleus
Below is a video of a dry needling treatment of the calf combining electrical stimulation to the muscle to “reset” the calf following needling out the trigger points. This patient has chronic calf pain, limited ankle range of motion and over pronated feet.
Although this page involves the treatment of calf pain utilizing dry needling, the treatment can also help with the following conditions:
- Acute and chronic tendinitis
- Athletic and sports-related overuse injuries
- Post-surgical pain
- Post-traumatic injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and work related injuries
- Chronic pain conditions
- Headaches and whiplash
- Lower back pain
- Frozen Shoulder
- Tennis Elbow
- Muscle Spasms
- Fibromyalgia
- Sciatic Pain
- Hip Pain
- Knee Pain
- Repetitive Strain Injuries
- TMJ
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
New Patients welcome at Behm Muscle & Joint Clinic
We offer dry needling services to the Omaha, NE area from our clinic conveniently located in Bellevue, NE. If you are suffering from any of the above conditions give us a call at 402-292-1450 or schedule a consultation online to see how we can help you with our dry needling services.
