Dry Needling

Osteopathic Treatment
Dry Needling

Dry Needling, also known as Medical or Western Acupuncture. The term medical acupuncture does not mean that it is a technique to only be used by medical physicians, but is practiced by osteopaths, physiotherapists, doctors and chiropractors. The term is used to convey that the approach, when deciding to use acupuncture is based on the structure and function of the body.

Essential features of dry needling (medical acupuncture):
– Accepted methods of case history and examinations including special tests to gain a diagnosis
– The appropriate dosage of acupuncture tailored to the individual
– Any further treatment is tailored to the response of the patient

Dry Needling (Medical acupuncture) does not claim to treat everything as each treatment is tailored to the specific requirements of the patients and the treatment strategy.

How Does Dry Needling Work?

Dry needling is a modern treatment designed to ease muscular pain. Its popularity is growing. During dry needling, a practitioner inserts several filiform needles into your skin. Filiform needles are fine, short, stainless steel needles that don’t inject fluid into the body. That’s why the term “dry” is used.

Practitioners place the needles in “trigger points” in your muscle or tissue. Dry needling is also sometimes called intramuscular stimulation. The points are areas of knotted or hard muscle.

Dry needling practitioners say the needle helps release the knot and relieve any muscle pain or spasms. The needles will remain in your skin for a short period of time, often between 10 and 30 minutes.

Dry needling may provide relief for some muscular pain and stiffness. In addition, easing the trigger points may improve flexibility and increase range of motion. That’s why this method is often used to treat sports injuries, muscle pain, and even fibromyalgia pain.

Mild side effects are very common with dry needling, but serious side effects remain rare.

The most common side effects around the injection site include:
– bruising
– bleeding
– temporary soreness

What Does Dry Needling (Western Acupuncture) Feel Like?

Acupuncture needles much finer those needles used in injections and blood tests. Acupuncture needles and are solid rather than hollow. When the needle is inserted, the sensation is often described as a tingling or dull ache.

Needles are normally left in place for 20 – 30 minutes, depending on the effect required. During treatment patients commonly experience heaviness in the limbs or a pleasant feeling of relaxation.

Dry Needling (Medical acupuncture) does not claim to treat everything as each treatment is tailored to the specific requirements of the patients and the treatment strategy.