Guerrero Rehabilitation

05/19/2026

https://youtu.be/-1iD5xTup8E?si=k_3AgzJdUyjaeK

💉 Dry Needling for Suboccipital Tightness & Cervicogenic HeadachesIf you’re dealing with headaches, neck tension, or pain at the base of the skull… the subo...

05/16/2026

Dry Needling for Suboccipital Tightness & Cervicogenic Headaches

The suboccipital muscles are a small group of deep muscles located at the base of the skull. Although small, they play a major role in cervical spine function and are commonly involved in headaches, neck tension, and upper cervical dysfunction.

Why the Suboccipital Muscles Matter

Functions include:
• Upper cervical spine stability
• Head positioning and postural control
• Fine cervical movement coordination
• Eye-head coordination
• Cervical extension and rotation

When these muscles become overactive, tight, or overloaded (commonly from forward head posture, prolonged screen time, stress, jaw clenching, or cervical dysfunction), myofascial trigger points may develop and contribute to:

• Cervicogenic headaches
• Tension headaches
• Pain at the base of the skull
• Neck stiffness
• Eye strain
• Dizziness or pressure sensations
• Limited cervical rotation

How Dry Needling May Help

Dry needling targets trigger points directly using a thin filament needle.

Potential benefits may include:
• Reduced muscle tension and guarding
• Improved local circulation
• Decreased pain sensitivity
• Improved cervical mobility
• Improved muscle activation patterns
• Reduced headache-related symptoms in some individuals

Evidence:

• Shah et al. demonstrated biochemical changes in trigger points after needling, including reductions in inflammatory mediators
• Kietrys et al. found dry needling effective for reducing myofascial pain compared to sham/control interventions
• Cagnie et al. demonstrated improvements in pain and pressure sensitivity following dry needling interventions involving cervical musculature

What Dry Needling Often Feels Like

• Brief twitch response may occur
• Mild soreness afterward (similar to post-exercise soreness)
• Temporary tenderness around treatment area
• Some individuals report reduced pressure, tension, or headache symptoms afterward

Clinical Background

Chad Guerrero, OT is full-body certified in dry needling and honored to be among the first two Occupational Therapists in Louisiana history to achieve full-body certification through LOTA-approved training.

Certification includes treatment considerations involving:

• Upper extremity conditions
• Lower extremity conditions
• Cervical spine conditions
• Thoracic spine conditions
• Lumbar spine conditions

Dry Needling Is Often Combined With:

• Manual therapy (soft tissue techniques, joint mobilization)
• Postural retraining
• Deep neck flexor strengthening
• Thoracic mobility exercises
• Activity modification
• Ergonomic education
• Progressive strengthening programs

Dry needling is typically most effective when integrated into a comprehensive orthopedic rehabilitation plan rather than used in isolation.

For additional orthopedic rehabilitation content, dry needling education, therapy programs, special tests, and pain management topics, visit YouTube:

Over 1,100+ videos covering orthopedic conditions, rehabilitation strategies, therapeutic modalities, knee pain, foot conditions, neck pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, and more.

Copy and paste the link into your YouTube search bar or click below:

YouTube Channel

➡️ Not a fully comprehensive program. My patients undergo a thorough medical history review and clinical examination. Individualized plans are then developed after making clinical decisions. This is just a general guide.

Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only and is primarily designed for rehabilitation clinicians. It is not medical advice. Always follow state practice guidelines and use clinical judgment.

05/14/2026

https://youtu.be/ym2BPRw7XVM?si=oH5GPgmfVdC3xWR_

💉 Dry Needling for Calf Pain (Gastrocnemius) TightnessIf you’re dealing with calf tightness, trigger points, cramping, or persistent lower leg pain… the gas...

05/14/2026

💉 Dry Needling for Calf Pain (Gastrocnemius) Tightness
If you’re dealing with calf tightness, trigger points, cramping, or persistent lower leg pain… the gastrocnemius muscle may be a major contributor.
⸻
🧠 Why the Gastrocnemius Matters
The gastrocnemius is one of the primary muscles of the calf and plays a major role in:

Walking and gait mechanics
Push-off during ambulation and running
Jumping and force production
Ankle plantarflexion
Assisting knee flexion
When overloaded, tight, or overused (common with running, prolonged standing, sports, poor mobility, or compensation patterns), it can develop myofascial trigger points that contribute to:
Calf tightness
Cramping
Achilles tension
Heel pain
Limited ankle dorsiflexion
Pain with walking, running, or stairs
⸻
🎯 How Dry Needling Helps
Dry needling targets trigger points directly using a thin filament needle.
Benefits include:
Reduces muscle tension and guarding
Improves local blood flow
Decreases pain sensitivity
Improves mobility and flexibility
Helps restore normal muscle activation patterns
📚 Evidence:
Shah et al. demonstrated biochemical changes in trigger points after needling, including reduced inflammatory mediators
Kietrys et al. found dry needling effective for reducing myofascial pain compared to control/sham
Cagnie et al. demonstrated improvements in pain and muscle sensitivity following dry needling interventions
⸻
⚠️ What It Feels Like
• Brief twitch response may occur
Mild soreness afterward (similar to a workout)
Typically followed by improved mobility and reduced tightness
⸻
🏆 Clinical Insight
I am full-body certified in dry needling, and honored to be one of the first two Occupational Therapists in Louisiana history to achieve full-body certification through LOTA approved training.
This allows me to safely and effectively treat:
Upper extremity
Lower extremity
Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine conditions
⸻
🛠️ Often Combined With:

Manual therapy (soft tissue, joint mobilization)
Stretching and mobility work
Corrective exercise
Strengthening progressions• Activity modification
Dry needling is most effective when integrated into a full orthopedic rehab plan—not used in isolation.
⸻
⚠️ Disclaimer: This content is intended for rehabilitation professionals and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always use clinical judgment and follow state practice guidelines.

05/05/2026

💉 Dry Needling for Upper Trap Pain & Neck Tension

If you’re dealing with tightness, trigger points, or persistent neck pain… the upper trapezius is often a major contributor.

⸻

🧠 Why the Upper Trap Matters

The upper trapezius plays a key role in:
• Cervical spine stability
• Scapular elevation & upward rotation
• Postural control

When overactive or overloaded (common with forward head posture, stress, or repetitive use), it can develop myofascial trigger points that refer pain into the neck, head, and shoulder.

⸻

🎯 How Dry Needling Helps

Dry needling targets these trigger points directly using a thin filament needle.

Benefits include:
• Reduces muscle tension and guarding
• Improves local blood flow
• Decreases pain sensitivity
• Helps restore normal muscle activation patterns

📚 Evidence:
• Shah et al. demonstrated biochemical changes in trigger points after needling, including reduced inflammatory mediators
• Kietrys et al. found dry needling effective for reducing myofascial pain compared to control/sham
• Cagnie et al. showed improvements in pain and pressure sensitivity in the upper trapezius

⸻

⚠️ What It Feels Like

• Brief twitch response may occur
• Mild soreness afterward (similar to a workout)
• Typically followed by improved mobility and reduced tension

⸻

🏆 Clinical Insight

Chad Guerrero, OT is full-body certified in dry needling, and honored to be one of the first two Occupational Therapists in Louisiana history to achieve full-body certification through LOTA approved training.

This allows me to safely and effectively treat:
• Upper extremity
• Lower extremity
• Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine conditions

⸻

🛠️ Often Combined With:
• Manual therapy (soft tissue, joint mobilization)
• Corrective exercise
• Postural retraining
• Activity modification

Dry needling is most effective when integrated into a full orthopedic rehab plan—not used in isolation.

⸻

⚠️ Disclaimer
This content is intended for rehabilitation professionals and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always use clinical judgment and follow state practice guidelines.



https://youtu.be/E6mO3TehpTA?si=QEz1Neh35dY93SZh

Education Only. Not medical advice.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/02/2026

📣 Call for Speakers! Share your poster, course, or conversation at the 2026 LOTA Conference. We want to hear from you- scan the code to submit!

05/02/2026

Congrats to our awesome student, Kensey Burgess, for completing her last clinical rotation! We are super excited that she will be staying with us to start her career in OT!

04/29/2026

https://youtu.be/Tt2K3WXYdw0?si=PCU4VcYbABIMRueG

Education Only. Not medical advice.

1 like. "Tinel’s Test Explained (Carpal Tunnel) | How to Perform + Positive Signs"

04/25/2026

Congratulations to the CPHS Spartans Baseball Team on their wins and advancement! Special shout out to our left fielder, Lawson Guerrero #1 ❤️💙❤️💙

04/24/2026

https://youtu.be/YFDb4YlXpsI?si=4In1u8BeH_IzDEDT

Education only. Not medical advice.

🦵 Painful Arc Sign (Shoulder)The Painful Arc Sign is a commonly used orthopedic test to help identify shoulder impingement, particularly involving the struc...

04/23/2026

WHAT Test For Thumb Tenosynovitis.

Not medical advice. Entertainment only.