New 'needle therapy' will help cure joint pains

Scientists have developed an innovative technique that would provide pain relief for tight, sore muscles.

The 'Functional dry needling' by Houston Methodist, which involves inserting a very thin needle into a trigger point of a muscle pain, is applied to decrease the pain and assessed deficits in the musculoskeletal system and treating the trigger points or taut bands associated with those deficits.

This technique could be used to treat a variety of conditions, such as sprains or strains, to provide pain relief.

Matt Holland, a Houston Methodist physical therapist said that patients interested in the treatment should seek a medical provider who is certified to provide functional dry needling to ensure their safety during treatment. Most insurance plans will cover the cost of functional dry needling treatments.