What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is the process of inserting tiny filiform needles precisely placed in your muscular and connective tissues to improve muscle movement and reduce your pain. The technique uses a "dry" needle, one without medication or injection, inserted through the skin into areas of the muscle.
Dry needling works in a few different ways. First, it helps with something called trigger points, which are tight spots in muscles that can be very tender to touch and can radiate pain to other areas of the body. The needle is inserted into these areas and creates localized lesions which help to break up these tight spots and bring in blood flow helping to heal and restore the area. Second, it helps at a spinal level, which means it reduces irritation and pain that is traveling through the nerves up to the spine. Lastly, it helps at a systemic level. This means that dry needling actually affects your brain and it releases feel good and healing chemicals to not only the area with the needle but to the entire body. Sounds pretty great doesn't it?
How is Dry Needling Different from Acupuncture?
Dry needling and acupuncture are similar in that they both use the same types of needles.
Acupuncture is based on ancient Eastern Medicine and its main goal is to restore the chi or energy flow. Needles are typically placed more superficially throughout the body at precise points that direct the flow of energy through interconnected pathways. The goal of placing needles into acupuncture points is to direct the flow of vital energy to trigger your body's healing response and restore physical, emotional and mental equilibrium.
Dry needling is based on Western Medicine and it is going directly after soft tissue structures in the body such as muscle, tendons, and ligaments. Physical therapists that perform dry needling will typically find the trigger points in the muscles and insert needles to break up and get rid of restrictions that are causing pain and movement dysfunction. They may also use electrical stimulation in conjunction with it to get an even greater response from the tissue and for pain relief.
What can Dry Needling Do for Me?
Dry needling has proven results for a lot of painful conditions including but not limited to:
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Shoulder pain
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Headaches/migraines
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Elbow and wrist pain
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Low back pain
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Hip Pain & Sciatica
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Knee pain
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Foot Pain & Plantar Fasciitis
Contact us today to see if it can help you get out of pain!