The Wonders of Dry Needling For Pain Relief
There’s no doubt about it – acupuncture is among the most sought-after therapies in the world. Apart from being safe and inexpensive, this treatment has been scientifically proven to aid in many health problems, most especially chronic pain. It is also known to improve physical and mental health. And just like all other types of acupuncture, dry needling is worth giving a try.
What is Dry Needling Anyway?
Dry needling is a form of acupuncture that is getting very popular worldwide. The procedure involves the same needles used in traditional acupuncture but is backed by a different philosophy. This technique was developed in 1970s by a physician who noticed that injections administered into painful muscles can relieve pain regardless of the analgesic used. So he started using empty hypodermic needles from syringes to stimulate same trigger points involved in traditional acupuncture. The needles stimulate a twitch response (an involuntary spinal cord reflex) which relaxes tensed muscles, thus, relieving pain.
Dry Needling for Pain Relief
In traditional acupuncture, needles are inserted in meridians – energy channels in the body. Dry needling on the other hand is placed into trigger points, the hypersensitive regions within a muscle. This acupuncture technique is very safe for pregnant women and in others who have medical conditions. Because the needles used are very fine, patients may not really feel it going through their skin at all. Sometimes, the ‘muscle twitch’ may be felt. That means the needling is successful in relaxing the muscles.
Dry needling targets muscle tissues and their nerve connections. People suffering from other conditions that involve muscle pain, such as such as neck and back pain, ITB friction syndrome, headache, or shin pain could potentially benefit from this therapy.
If in traditional acupuncture, the therapist leaves the patient for a certain period of time before taking the needles off, in dry needling, the needle is gently inserted, slightly moved and then removed immediately. Here, the therapist does the same procedure for a number of times to the targeted areas. According to Neil Kirschen, MD, a licensed acupuncturist based in New York, it’s far easier to use dry needling techniques because therapists simply need to have knowledge about musculoskeletal medicine. In terms of results, both traditional acupuncture and dry needling are effective in alleviating muscle pain and other issues involving tightness in muscle tissues.
Needle-Free Therapies for Pain Relief
Even though acupuncture is considered safe and effective, some people really do not like the idea of being ‘needled’. Good thing, there are other complementary treatments that may also be effective in relieving pain. They include the following:
Yoga – this mindfulness technique is great in reducing stress – a major risk factor for chronic pain. This movement-based method for pain relief is also used to improve muscle tone and core strength, enhance posture and increase flexibility.
Tai Chi – this gem of the traditional Chinese culture has its roots in martial arts. It is practised to improve mobility, balance, and stability and muscle control. In a 2012 study published in the journal Alzheimer’s Disease, scientists found that practising Tai Chi regularly leads to an increase in the brain volume and improvement in memory. This slow-phase exercise is very much suitable for older adults as well as those who have mobility problems.
Cupping – this therapy works in similar ways with acupuncture. It involves placing glass cups or a vacuum to the skin surface to break up adhesions in the muscles. Cupping is known to promote blood circulation and pain relief.
Dear Readers,
Have you ever tried dry needling? Did it help you reduce physical pain? We’d like to know about your experience.
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