DRY NEEDLING IS NOT ACUPUNCTURE

Physiotherapists use many different manual techniques for relieving pain. One of the techniques which can be taken into consideration is dry needling, particularly for treating myofascial trigger points causing pain in muscles.

The trigger points are the irritable points in the muscles, which are the source of pain in the whole muscle and the area around these points. These points are not formed after any trauma, inflammation or degeneration, but are developed on their own.

Before having a closer look at what dry needling is, the dilemma should be cleared that it is definitely not acupuncture. You are right in thinking so that filiform needles are inserted in the body in both these techniques but, the purpose and the locations of needle insertion are far different. Acupuncture is used in a technique for balance of the flow of energy known as qi (chee) according to the Chinese medicine. In acupuncture, certain points on the body are marked which are considered as the center for balancing these life forces and energy flow. Whereas dry needling is purely release of the intramuscular trigger points. There are formation of taut bands in large muscle groups which are tender on palpation and you may observe nodules formed deep inside the muscle, which causes pain on touch. The needle is inserted penetrating the skin and fascia directly reaching the tender trigger points. The therapist holds the muscle bulk, palpate the tender point and insert the filiform needle.  Dry needling in some cases is not whole and sole treatment plan for a patient with musculoskeletal pain but is rather a part of the whole treatment plan. As soon as the trigger points are released, there is relief in pain and tenderness on the affected area. The tension from the muscle is released, resulting in improved range of motion and the transmission of nerve impulses to the motor end plate.

Direct stimulation of the contraction knots formed in the muscle gives a twitch reaction on insertion of needle and the muscle fibers in the taut band are relaxed in response to the twitch. There is a subsequent release of the endogenous opioid substances which elicits an analgesic response in the body and facilitates pain relief.
The procedure should be carried out under proper environment. The instruments should be sterile, the needles used nowadays are disposable and are thrown away after single use. The therapist should be wearing gloves to avoid any direct contact to the area to be treated to avoid any chances of infections.

The patient may experience slight pain while carrying out the procedure but the pain is tolerable and there is negligible blood loss. If the practitioner is well trained there may be no amount of pain experienced.  

Take care.
Jasrah.


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