Dry Needling & Medical Accupuncture

What is Dry Needling?

Dry Needling also known as Intra Muscular Stimulation (IMS) is a process which involves the insertion of acupuncture needles into muscles in order to alleviate pain and stimulate healing. Generally this technique is used in the treatment of injuries and their associated pain. The filiform needle is inserted directly into the myofacial trigger point which acts to increase circulation and thus speed up the repair of the surrounding tissue.

What is a trigger point?                          

A trigger point is an area of muscle which has been over exerted, this area is commonly referred to as a knot. Patients will find that the pain is localised around this area. Dry Needling acts to release this knot. The needle insertion will have some what of an anaesthetic effect on the trigger point and is therefore a useful method of pain relief.

What are the benefits of Dry Needling?

Dry needling has a number of benefits which include:

• Pain relief
• Increased circulation of blood
• Promotion of healing
• Increased range of motion
• Increased strength and functionality of the muscle
• Return of proper biomechanics

Benefits of Medical Acupuncture

Medical Acupuncture is a system offering benefits and influence over three main areas of health care:

• assisting in the promotion of health and well-being,
• aiding in the prevention of illness,
• treatment of numerous medical conditions.

While medical acupuncture is often associated with pain control, in the hands of a properly-trained practitioner it has much broader applications in the repair and recovery and a number of injuries and illnesses. Medical Acupuncture can be effective as the only treatment used, or as part of a wider serious of treatments in many medical and surgical disorders. The WHO (World Health Organisation) recognises the use of medical acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems, including:

• Digestive disorders such as IBS, Gastritis, Constipation and Diarrhea.
• Respiratory disorders such as Bronchitis, Asthma etc.
• Neurological Disorders such as Migraines and Headaches etc
• Muscular Tightness and Pain such as Neck Pain, Back Pain, Limb Pain, Frozen Shoulder, Tennis & Golfers Elbow, various forms of tendinitis, Sciatica, osteoarthritis and much more.

Medical Acupuncture is particularly useful in resolving physical problems related to tension and stress and emotional conditions as well as many soft tissue and muscular disorders and problems.