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​Understanding Dry Needling: A Modern Approach to Pain Relief

5/27/2025

 
Dry needling is a treatment where a licensed provider inserts very thin, sterile needles into muscles, tendons, or near nerves. The goal is to relieve pain, reduce tension, and help your body heal naturally. 

Dry needling helps your body in several ways:
🧠 Resets the Nervous System
  • It activates your body's natural pain relief system by stimulating brain areas that release endorphins (your body’s natural painkillers).
  • It can help “retrain” how your brain and nerves process pain—especially in long-term (chronic) pain conditions.
💪 Relaxes Tight Muscles
  • Dry needling targets “trigger points”—tight bands in your muscles that can cause pain or limit movement.
  • The treatment often creates a small muscle twitch, which helps release tension, improve movement, and reduce pain. 
💉 Boosts Circulation and Healing
  • By creating a micro-injury, the needle stimulates increased circulation, which brings in healing cells and flushes out waste.
  • This process can help repair tissues and reduce inflammation over time.
⚖️ Balances the Body’s Stress Response
  • By calming the autonomic nervous system, dry needling can reduce overactive stress signals in the body—something often seen in chronic pain.


🎾In Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) dry needling can:
  • Release tight muscles in the forearm
  • Improve blood flow and reduce inflammation
  • Reduce pain and improve grip strength
  • Help you return to everyday tasks with less discomfort

🦵 In Knee Osteoarthritis dry needling may:
  • Reduce tight thigh and calf muscles around the knee
  • Increase blood flow to joints and soft tissue
  • Reduce pain and stiffness
  • Support better movement and balance—especially when combined with exercise

What to Expect
  • Sessions usually last 20–35 minutes.
  • You may feel a brief pinch or twitch during needling.
  • Mild soreness afterward is common and usually resolves in 24–48 hours.
  • Treatment plans vary—some people notice improvement quickly; others may need a few sessions.

Is It Safe?
Yes! Dry needling is generally safe and well-tolerated. Possible side effects include:
  • Mild soreness
  • Temporary bruising
  • Very rarely, a drop in blood pressure or dizziness

When to Consider Dry Needling
  • You’ve tried rest, ice, and/or medications without relief
  • You want to delay or avoid surgery or injections
  • You’re looking for a natural, drug-free way to manage pain and improve movement


70% of US adults are deficient in Magnesium

5/20/2025

 
MAGNESIUM
 
💪 Muscle Function & Recovery: Regulates muscle contraction and relaxation; helps prevent cramps, spasms, and post-exercise soreness.

​🦴 Bone Strength & Mineralization: Roughly 60% of body magnesium is stored in bone; supports calcium absorption and bone density.

🧠 Nervous System & Mood Support: Calms the nervous system, reduces anxiety, supports neurotransmitter balance, and promotes restful sleep.

🔋 Energy Production (ATP): Acts as a cofactor in over 600 enzymatic reactions, including those that generate and use energy in cells.

🛡️ Stress & Hormone Regulation: Helps buffer the body’s stress response (cortisol), supports adrenal function, and is important for insulin sensitivity.

⚡ Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health: Supports normal heart rhythm, blood pressure regulation, and glucose metabolism.

Deficiency can impair performance, recovery, & increase injury risk.
 

RDA: 310–420 mg/day           F-DOSE: 400–800 mg/day (glycinate or citrate preferred)
 
FOODS: pumpkin seeds (1 oz = ~156 mg), almonds (1 oz = ~77 mg), spinach (½ cup cooked = ~78mg), black beans (½ cup = ~60 mg), dark chocolate (1 oz = ~65 mg)…
 
*** There are more than 8 forms of magnesium, and each have different roles in the body.

Magnesium Glycinate – Calming, Sleep, Mood (Highly absorbable; gentle on the stomach)

Magnesium Citrate – Digestion, Bowel Regularity, Absorption  (Supports mild constipation; good general use)

Magnesium Malate – Energy, Muscle Pain, Fibromyalgia   (Involved in ATP production; often used for fatigue) 
​
Magnesium Taurate – Heart, Blood Pressure, Calm  (Bound to taurine; supports cardiovascular and nervous systems)

Magnesium Threonate – Memory, Focus, Brain. (Crosses the blood-brain barrier)

Magnesium Oxide – Laxative, Indigestion, Cheap. (Low absorption; mainly for constipation)

Magnesium Sulfate – Detox, Muscle Soak, Relaxation. (Used in Epsom salt baths)

Magnesium Chloride – Skin, Sleep, Absorption (Used topically and orally; supports cellular magnesium levels)


Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. What We Eat in America, NHANES 2013–2016.

OMEGA-3

5/20/2025

 
OMEGA-3 (EPA/DHA)
 
🛡️ Anti-inflammatory Support: Reduces systemic inflammation by modulating cytokines and prostaglandins—key in managing joint pain, tendonitis, and chronic inflammatory conditions.

​💪 Muscle Preservation & Recovery: Helps reduce muscle breakdown, enhances recovery after exercise, and supports muscle protein synthesis, especially in aging or injury.

🦴 Bone & Joint Health: Improves calcium absorption, supports cartilage integrity, and may reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis.

🧠 Cognitive & Mood Function: Supports brain cell membrane structure and neurotransmission. Shown to reduce depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.

❤️ Cardiovascular Health: Lowers triglycerides, supports healthy blood pressure, reduces clotting, and improves overall heart rhythm stability.

🧬 Cell Membrane Integrity: Provides fluidity and stability to cell membranes, enhancing nutrient transport and cellular communication.
 
Omega-3s protect joints, preserve muscle tissue, & promote faster recovery by controlling inflammation & enhancing metabolic repair processes—making them essential for both injury prevention & performance optimization.
 
 
RDA: Not established or EPA/DHA                 F-DOSE: 2–4 grams/day (EPA+DHA, 50/50 ratio)
 
FOODS: wild salmon (3oz= ~1,200–1,800 mg EPA/DHA), sardines (2 fish= ~1,000 mg EPA/DHA), chia seeds (1oz= ~5,000 mg ALA), flaxseeds, ground (1 tbsp = ~2,400 mg ALA), walnuts (1 oz=~2,500 mg ALA)…
 


84% of US adults are deficient in Vitamin E

5/19/2025

 
VITAMIN E

🛡️ Antioxidant Protection: Neutralizes free radicals and protects cell membranes from oxidative stress, especially in muscles, joints, and cardiovascular tissue.

💪 Muscle Recovery: Reduces exercise-induced oxidative damage and supports faster muscle recovery after physical activity.

🧠 Neurological & Cognitive Support: Helps maintain nervous system function; associated with reduced risk of age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders.

❤️ Cardiovascular Health: Prevents oxidation of LDL cholesterol, supports blood vessel health, and may reduce risk of atherosclerosis.

🦠 Immune Function: Enhances T-cell function and supports the body's defense against infections—particularly in older adults.

🧬 Skin & Tissue Repair: Supports skin healing, reduces inflammation, and promotes tissue regeneration in wounds or sun damage.
 
Vitamin E protects musculoskeletal tissues from oxidative stress, reduces inflammation, & supports muscle recovery—making it beneficial for both active individuals & those managing chronic joint or muscle issues.
 
 
RDA: 15mg/day                      F-DOSE:  67-268 mg/day
 
 
FOODS: wheat germ oil (1tbsp= 20mg), sunflower seeds (1oz = ~7.4mg), almonds (1oz=7.3mg), hazelnuts (1 oz=4.3mg)…
 

 Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.
What We Eat in America, NHANES 2013–2016.

95% of US adults are deficient in Vitamin D

5/19/2025

 
VITAMIN D
​

🦴 Bone Density & Mineralization: Enhances calcium and phosphorus absorption, promoting strong bones and reducing risk of fractures, osteomalacia, and osteoporosis.

💪 Muscle Strength & Performance: Supports muscle contraction, coordination, and recovery. Deficiency is linked to weakness, falls, and impaired athletic performance.

🛡️ Immune Regulation: Modulates both innate and adaptive immunity—improving defense against infections and reducing chronic inflammation and autoimmunity.

🧠 Mood & Cognitive Health: Supports neurotransmitter balance; low levels are linked to depression, seasonal affective disorder, and cognitive decline.

❤️ Cardiometabolic Health: Plays a role in regulating insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and inflammation—impacting diabetes and heart disease risk.

🔬 Cell Differentiation & Repair: Influences gene expression and supports cellular repair mechanisms essential for tissue integrity and healing.
 
 Vitamin D strengthens bones, enhances muscle performance, & reduces injury risk—making it critical for maintaining an active, resilient musculoskeletal system across the lifespan.
 
RDA: 600IU – 4,000IU/DAY                F-DOSE: 2,000 – 5,000IU/DAY
 
FOODS: cod liver oil (1tsp = 400-1,000IU), sockeye salmon (3oz = 500-700IU), mackerel (~400IU)…
     
SUNLIGHT:  When UVB rays hit your skin (with no sunscreen), they convert 7-dehydrocholesterol into vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which is then activated by the liver & kidneys. Sunlight is a powerful & natural way to boost vitamin D, but many people don’t get enough due to lifestyle, geography, or skin tone—making food & supplementation important for maintaining optimal levels.

What to Expect with Lymphedema Treatment

5/14/2025

 
At your first visit we will perform a full evaluation including your history, functional capacity, and measurements. We will also talk about recommendations and plan of care requirements to make sure we can deliver something that works with your schedule and will meet your goals. 

If decongestive therapy is indicated, you will attend frequently (5x a week in most cases). Sessions will focus on lymphatic drainage, compression wrapping, and exercise with the goal of volume reduction. In other words, we will work hard together as a team to make your arm or leg smaller! 

After we have achieved enough reduction-we will get you set up with compression garments so you can maintain your results.  

At the end of your plan of care, you should feel confident in maintenance techniques and general self-management.  
​
Picture


​   Example of a compression wrap on the arm.  ​

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                                                     Private, comfortable spaces for MLD.   

Expensive pee ?

5/6/2025

 
🥗  🧬  🌿   IS YOUR NUTRITION & SUPPLEMENTATION SUPPORTING YOUR HEALTH & HEALING?
 
95% of US adults are deficient in Vitamin D
84% of US adults are deficient in Vitamin E
70% of US adults are deficient in Magnesium
70% of US adults are deficient in Omega-3 
46% of US adults are deficient in Vitamin C
45% of US adults are deficient in Vitamin A
15% of US adults are deficient in Zinc

A healthy diet focuses on whole, minimally processed foods that provide essential nutrients like protein, healthy fats, vitamins, & minerals. It supports energy, immunity, & long-term well-being while avoiding excess sugar, refined carbohydrates, & ultra-processed ingredients. A balanced intake of protein & anti-inflammatory fats supports energy, muscle maintenance, immune health, & metabolic function. Avoiding added sugars, industrial seed oils, & ultra-processed foods lowers inflammation & chronic disease risk. A truly healthy diet is also sustainable, enjoyable, & adaptable to your lifestyle & needs.
 
🥬 Why We're Not Getting Enough from Food
 
Modern diets often fall short in key nutrients due to a combination of factors: industrial farming practices that deplete soil minerals, highly processed foods with low nutrient density, & busy lifestyles that favor convenience over quality. Even with a seemingly healthy diet, it's difficult to meet optimal levels of vitamin D, magnesium, omega-3s, & more—especially when factoring in age, medication use, injury/recovery, & chronic stress, which all increase nutrient demand.
 
🧪 RDA vs. Functional Dose
 
The RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) is designed to prevent clinical deficiency in                healthy individuals, not to optimize health or meet the demands of stress, illness, or aging. Functional Doses, by contrast, are based on research & clinical experience showing that higher intake levels can support immune resilience, cognitive performance, recovery, & long-term well-being. These doses are often used when aiming to correct suboptimal levels, support healing, or counteract modern stressors.

🧃💊 Supplementation Isn’t Just Expensive Pee
​

The phrase “vitamins are just expensive pee” is a misleading oversimplification. While excess water-soluble vitamins like C & B-complex are excreted in urine, this simply reflects your body regulating what it doesn’t need at that moment. Before that happens, vitamins are absorbed & used to support energy, immunity, recovery, & overall health. Many people are deficient due to stress, diet, or medications, making targeted supplementation beneficial. When used wisely, vitamins aren’t expensive urine—they’re a smart investment in wellness. 


For the best supplements, check here: THORNE

 

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206.913.8082
  • LIBPT
  • Physical Therapy
    • General Orthopedics
    • Lymphedema
    • Female Pelvic Health
    • Male Pelvic Health
    • Post-Surgical Rehab
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    • Shockwave Therapy Science
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    • What To Expect
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