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FUNCTIONAL DRY NEEDLING

Functional Dry Needling (FDN) is a therapeutic technique using thin monofilament needles to treat dysfunctional muscles. Myofascial muscle “trigger points” that create pain and discomfort are stimulated and deactivated, thereby reducing pain and restoring normal function of the involved muscle.

Injury can lead to poor neuromuscular functional movement pattern development, or compensatory strategies, which may lead to further injury and discomfort. Functional Dry Needling can help reset these poor movement patterns and allow patients to retrain the injured tissue (coupled with a proper therapeutic exercise program) to maximize return to activity or sport.

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DRY NEEDLING Q&A

  • What conditions do you treat?
    Acute & Chronic Pain Osteoarthritis Muscle strains, spasms, sprains, fractures Tendinitis/overuse injuries Total Joint Replacements (total & partial knee, hip, and shoulder replacements) Post-surgical cases (arthroscopies, rotator cuff repairs, shoulder & hip labral repairs, meniscal repairs, ligamentous repairs, discectomies, spinal fusion, ORIFs, etc.) Neck & Back pain (DDD, stenosis, disc pathologies, radiculopathy, etc.) Sciatica, piriformis syndrome Headaches Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD/TMJ) Whiplash Shoulder pain (adhesive capsulitis, rotator cuff/labral pathology, impingement, etc.) Elbow pain (tennis/golfer’s elbow, later/medial epicondylitis, etc.) Wrist/Hand pain (Carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, de Quervain’s/Gamer’s thumb, etc.) Hip pain (FAI/impingement, labral pathology, bursitis, etc.) Knee pain (meniscus pathology, ACL/PCL/MCL/LCL injury, patellofemoral pain, ITBFS, etc.) Ankle & Foot pain (plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, Achille’s pathology, etc.) Athletic injuries & sports performance Neuropathic pain (central sensitization, CRPS, fibromyalgia, etc.) Balance & movement disorders (Parkinson’s, MS, etc.) Generalized weakness & falls prevention *If your condition is not listed above and you are interested in our services, please contact us to discuss further.
  • How is concierge physical therapy different than typical outpatient physical therapy?
    Concierge medicine puts the patient first, without the hassles or shortcomings often experienced in busy outpatient clinics. No distractions, no multi-tasking, no full waiting rooms. Longer treatment times, with more attention to detail and hands-on care. All appointments are one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. We believe in delivering the highest quality of evidence-based, effective care. Concierge services are provided in the comfort of your home or in our office located in Greenwich, CT.
  • Do I need to see a physician before starting physical therapy?
    No! New York and Connecticut are both direct access states. In New York, we can work together for the first 30 days or 10 sessions – whichever comes first – before requiring a physical therapy prescription from a referring physician (i.e. primary care physician, orthopedist, physiatrist, neurologist, etc.). We are happy to work with you to help obtain this referral. In Connecticut, a patient can receive physical therapy treatment without a referral for the first 30 days or 6 visits. If the patient demonstrates measurable, objective, functional improvements after the first 30 days or 6 visits, physical therapy may continue without a referral. If the patient has not shown progress, they will be referred to a physician. If you already have a prescription from your doctor, please bring a copy to your first appointment so we can best meet your needs and coordinate your care.
  • How long are my appointments?
    Initial evaluations are 1.5 hours. Follow-up appointments are either 1 hour or 1.5 hours depending on presentation, nature of injuries, and patient preference. This leaves us with ample time to discuss the details of your injury/condition and rehabilitation goals. Our appointments are always one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. We respect our patients’ schedules at Carly Gellerman Physical Therapy PLLC and pride ourselves on our punctuality.
  • How long will I need your services?
    Prognosis and outcomes vary from patient to patient and often depend on the individual and their unique presentation. Upon completion of the assessment, your physical therapist will provide a detailed summary of their findings and walk you through an individualized program of preventative strengthening, mobility, and functional exercises. Usually, treatment plans will recommend more frequent sessions in the beginning, with the intention of gradually tapering off to treatment on an as-needed basis. Our goal at Carly Gellerman Physical Therapy PLLC is to get you back to the activities and life you love most while respecting your time and wallet. Carly Gellerman Physical Therapy PLLC recognizes the importance of providing patients with knowledge and education about their pain and injuries. With a new understanding of their presentation, patients can become more independent and manage their injuries at home, with less frequent appointments needed. We will give you the knowledge and uniquely tailored exercise programs to manage your injuries independently. We will likely recommend infrequent “tune-up” or “check-in” appointments moving forward to keep chronic pain and old injuries at bay. We as human beings are always using and demanding plenty from our bodies. Physical therapy should be viewed as a preventative tool, not simply when pain, injuries, or dysfunction intensify. If we feel that we are not an appropriate outlet to manage your condition – or that we will not be helpful to your specific needs – we will inform you in a timely matter and recommend alternative care. Oftentimes with chronic pain and complex injuries, individuals benefit from interdisciplinary care. Should you require the skill and insight of additional practitioners or physicians, we will promptly educate and refer you to those who can most effectively treat your condition. We are happy to work alongside other professionals responsible for your care.
  • Do you accept insurance?
    We are out-of-network providers. If you have out-of-network insurance benefits, we can create a superbill that the patient independently submits to their insurance company for reimbursement. Reimbursement rates vary depending on individual plans. Currently, we are not in-network with any insurance companies. We accept all major credit cards, health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), Zelle, Venmo, personal check, and cash. Payment is due at the time of service.
  • What equipment do I need if I am interested in home visits?
    Nothing! We bring everything to you, including a treatment table, resistance bands, free weights, balance equipment, and manual therapy supplies. We recommend that you have two pillows available to use for comfort.
  • What should I wear to my physical therapy appointment?
    Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing so we can easily access the treatment area. We recommend tank tops for neck & shoulder injuries, shorts for knees & hips, and sweatpants for low back.
  • Am I within your in-home treatment radius?
    We are licensed in New York and Connecticut and treat predominantly within Westchester and Fairfield Counties. Please note: if you are interested in Functional Dry Needling and live in New York, you must be treated at one of our locations in Connecticut. If you reside in Connecticut and are interested in FDN, you have the option to decide between in-home or office sessions. If you have questions about whether your location falls within our travel radius, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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