Dry Needling And Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been defined as "...the insertion of a solid needle into any part of the human body for disease prevention, therapy or maintenance of health." Acupuncture is a form of therapy in which fine needles are inserted into specific points in order to create neurophysiological reactions in the body and stimulate a healing effect.

• Arthritis
• Neuralgia
• Sports Injuries
• Post-stroke
• Headaches
• Tennis Elbow
• Sciatica
• Back pain
• Tendonitis, tendinopathy

Dry needling is the use of a solid needle for therapy. This contrasts with the use of a hollow hyperdermic needle to inject substances such as saline solution or anaesthetic (wet needling). Dry needling uses acupuncture needles for the release of trigger points in muscles. There is a huge overlap in the points used in the different styles of acupuncture as approximately 80% of acupuncture points correspond to trigger points in muscles. This practice utilises western musculoskeletal diagnostic reasoning to choose where the needles will be placed, in trigger points and/or pain control points.
 

What is a trigger point ?
An active trigger point is a hyperirritable spot in skeletal muscle that is associated with a hypersensitive palpable nodule in a taut band of muscle. These muscles often appear tight, weak, do not respond to stretching and cause restricted joint range of motion. On compression, trigger points are exquisitely tender and can give rise to distinctive referred pain patterns and or a local muscle twitch response, or a whole body jump response. Dry needling is a very effective method of relieving trigger points.

Trigger points in muscles can be caused by emotional stress, postural strain, trauma, fatigue, altered breathing patterns, sleep deprivation, infections and mineral deficiencies. Once a trigger point is established it can become self perpetuating and persist for decades until it is adequately released. If the trigger point is not released it can lead to altered joint motion and be the cause of recurring neck, hip and low back pain for example.

How does dry needling work ?
Needles are placed into shortened muscles, or trigger points. Stimulation causes these muscles to lengthen, thus normalizing the structure and function of the area locally and distally through the nervous system.

According to current research, "dry needling" creates controlled injuries to tissues unleashing the body's healing source of bio-energy through the current of injury. Tissue injury also releases growth factors which can promote healing and strengthen weakened tissues. In addition, endorphins are produced, which can facilitate healing and reduce pain.

What can dry needling help ? 

• Headaches
• Frozen Shoulder
• Tennis Elbow
• Muscle Spasms
• Fibromyalgia
• Sciatic Pain
• Hip Pain
• Knee Pain
• Repetitive Strain Injuries