Hannah Wieczorek was no stranger to migraines. For years, they arrived uninvited, disrupting and dimming her days. To cope, she shaped her life around the intense, throbbing pain. She wore sunglasses inside to block harsh light and avoided noisy, busy environments that could worsen symptoms. The things she loved most, like social gatherings, laughter with her kids, and even daily routines, often took second place to her migraines.
During an appointment with physical therapist Mya VanNurden, Hannah was hit with another migraine. Mya saw her discomfort and suggested dry needling, a new service offered by Riverwood’s physical therapy team. The technique uses very thin, sterile needles to target tight muscles and trigger points, helping relieve pain and release tension.
At that point, Hannah had little to lose. Why not try it?
“It wasn’t painful or scary like you might think,” Hannah said. “When the first needle went in, the relief was instant.” She described the sensation as light tapping; the needles are about as thin as a strand of hair. As the session continued, the tension she’d carried for so long melted away.
Since starting dry needling treatment, Hannah is free from severe migraines. She’s back in the moment—playing with her kids, enjoying conversation, and basking in all those bright, joyful memories in the making.
“I’m not living in the dark anymore,” Hannah said. “I feel like a whole new person.”
June is Headache and Migraine Awareness Month. A migraine is more than a typical headache; it can cause intense throbbing pain and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last for hours to days, and the pain can be debilitating.
If you experience migraines, talk to your primary care provider about treatment options, including dry needling. Call 218-927-2157 to make an appointment or use our online scheduler.
Pictured: Mya VanNurden, MS, PT, setting up for a dry needling session.