Acupuncture Dry Needling

What is Acupuncture Dry Needling

 

Dry Needling and Acupuncture are similar in so far as they both utilise fine needles placed in specific locations of the body. Having said that, the two are very different, most notably in the following ways:

Dry needling is the placement of needles along the body’s meridian lines. These lines are invisible lines that carry energy throughout the body. The lines are channels of energy considered to be associated with the functioning of the body’s internal organs.  Energy will move freely through the meridian lines if the patient is in good health.  If the patient’s internal organs are not functioning correctly this energy will stagnate and result in illness.  In order to cure the illness, the meridian lines must be treated either in part, at specific points, or as a whole.

Muscle pain may be treated by Dry Needling. This involves the use of either solid filiform needles or hollow-core hypodermic needles for treatment. It may also be utilised in association with an exercise and stretching regime.

Acupuncture, on the other hand is one of the main forms of treatment derived from ancient Chinese medicine. It involves the use of sharp, fine needles that are inserted at specific sites in the body in order to stimulate sensory nerves under the skin and in the muscles. Treatment is not painful as it utilises needles that are as fine as a human hair. The needles are often left in place for 15 to 30 minutes.

Traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, or “life force”, flows through the body. This life force is known as Qi. This treatment results in the body producing natural substances, such as pain-relieving endorphins. It’s likely that these naturally released substances that are responsible for the beneficial effects experienced with acupuncture.

Neither Dry Needling nor Acupuncture utilise drugs and therefore there are no drug-related side effects as a result of treatment.

 

How does the Treatment Work?

 

Acupuncture can be an effective treatment for diseases of the muscular-skeletal system (muscles, bones and joints), for example sprains of the shoulder, leg and ankle joints, arm joints, arthritis, headaches/migraines brought on by head, neck, facial and back disorders.  Acupuncture stimulates and enhances circulation and leads to the release of endorphins. Endorphins inhibit pain and produce a feeling of relaxation. Acupuncture is a great way to loosen stiff and sore muscles, enhance movement, reduce pain, reduce muscle spasms and for relaxing tense muscles.

There are many treatments for the nervous system. It should be noted that any treatment for the nervous system varies from one person to the next as people are dissimilar in makeup and therefore require varying needle placements. Furthermore individuality will result in varying levels of success from this treatment. It is difficult therefore to quantify in advance what level of success will be achieved.

It should also be noted that acupuncture, when undertaken by a competent professional, can be considered a harmless technique with the potential for excellent results where other medical methods may have failed.

 

Problems that can be Helped by Acupuncture

 

The acupuncture techniques described above have been used for thousands of years in Asia and, possibly up to as long as 150 years in the West.

The following abbreviated list has been compiled to illustrate disorders which have been shown to experience a positive response to treatment.

The more common ailments include:

• • Respiratory System,
• • Drug addiction,
• • Obesity,
• • Muscle bones and joints damage, sprains,
• • Sprains,
• • Headaches,
• • Nervousness,
• • Arthritis,
• • Blood Pressure,
• • Smoking.

Uncommon disorders may also be addressed:

• • Strokes, (at early stages following an attack),
• • Anxiety and Depression,
• • Indigestion,
• • Stomach ulcers,

 

Potential Risks for Acupuncture Dry Needling

 

The following adverse effects can be considered minor, however this is an example list and treatment must be discussed with a fully certified or licensed acupuncturists.

• Bruising
• Dizziness
• Nausea  
• Feeling faint
• Bleeding
• Pain

There are many more serious/adverse effects such as vomiting, headaches, skin irritation, etc. which can be experianced when Dry Needling is carried out by the untrained.