Pain is an universal experience, regardless of time, area or culture. In Canada alone, about one in 4 people suffers with recurring pain at any particular time, and in most cases, it may be difficult to find a method for clients to enjoy relief.
While there are numerous treatment methods offered for different kinds of chronic pain, there aren’t any singular methods that work for everyone.
Lessening chronic pain isn’t always as straightforward as taking a pain-killer or anti-inflammatory drug. In truth, some clients can not take these types of medicines because of risk variables such as surgery, age or pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure.
That’s the reason pain management experts throughout the country are relying on integrative medicine to enhance traditional care and help clients handle their pain. One such new treatment gaining popularity among health care providers is referred to as “dry needling“.
Dry needling is an alternate therapy for discomfort management carried out by a physio therapist. It’s typically employed in tandem with other therapies like physical therapy, massage, ice or heat treatment, and physical exercise.
This therapy has been gaining in popularity in neuropathic pain and muscle pain management and physiotherapy practices across the country because of its ease of use, effectiveness, and inexpensiveness. In this post, you’ll learn exactly what dry needling is, who might take advantage of it and how it functions to diminish or get rid of pain.
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling, or intramuscular stimulation (IMS), is a kind of therapy that employs fine filaments that are placed into specific tight muscles or connective tissues to stimulate the body’s restorative healing response.
While acupuncture uses a combination of tiny filaments placed around the whole body, dry needling is done using a singular needle at one particular location. Dry needling is believed to relieve discomfort by activating the nerve system and resolving misplacements in muscle, joint and connective tissues.
Dry needling is frequently used as a treatment option for muscle convulsions, trigger points and tightness. Overworked or wounded muscles are sometimes too weak to successfully stretch out and release, which can cause discomfort.
If a patient has discomfort in their shoulder, for example, dry needling may be used to help release the pectoralis minor muscle, which is often connected with shoulder discomfort.
How Does Dry Needling Function?
Dry needling is believed to work by communicating with the nervous system and stimulating the body’s normal discomfort relief process. As soon as a filament is inserted into an uncomfortable connective tissue or muscle, it’s believed that the body releases a natural chemical called serotonin.
Serotonin is an organically occurring compound in the body that’s involved in controlling sleep, mood and digestion, among other bodily functions. When serotonin is dispensed by the body, it journeys through the bloodstream and binds to receptors all through the body, including the central nervous system.
When these receptors are stimulated, the body experiences a decrease in pain and anxiety, as well as an increase in sensations of peace and relaxation. Research studies have shown that dry needling can activate the release of endorphins, which are another kind of neurotransmitter that can help minimize pain and enhance mood.
Benefits of Dry Needling
Dry needling has many benefits for people experiencing long term or acute discomfort. It can be utilized as an aspect of a pain management program in combination with other solutions such as exercise or massage. It is oftentimes made use of for alleviating musculoskeletal pain related to the shoulders, back, knees and other joints, together with sports injuries.
Dry needling is in certain cases used in place of pain-killer medications and other injection treatments due to its lower threat of adverse side effects and complications.
Dry needling has also been demonstrated to be efficient at reducing long term discomfort and increasing function in people with back and knee pain, in addition to fibromyalgia symptoms.
Who Might Benefit From Dry Needling?
Dry needling can be used to handle a wide array of musculoskeletal conditions, including pain in the lower back, neck pain, knee pain, shoulder pain and chronic discomfort connected with repeated stress injuries, such as computer-related injuries or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Dry needling has also been employed to deal with fibromyalgia, a condition defined by persistent muscle discomfort and fatigue. Dry needling is frequently used in conjunction with other treatments, like physiotherapy and medication, to manage fibromyalgia.
Even clients that aren’t recuperating from a particular injury or surgery can enjoy the advantages of dry needling.
Is Dry Needling Safe?
Dry needling is normally regarded as a safe treatment when carried out by an experienced professional. It is often integrated with other therapies like massage or active stretching to enhance the impact of the needling.
There are some uncommon complications connected with dry needling, consisting of bleeding, bruising, skin inflammation or infections.
Dry needling can also cause a slight negative response in some patients, particularly those who are allergic to the adhesive applied to hold the filament in place. It is essential to note that dry needling is different than acupuncture, which is often used to alleviate discomfort and is frequently thought of as a complementary medicine.
While dry needling is used to address discomfort, acupuncture is employed to deal with a number of ailments, including persistent discomfort and stress and anxiety.
How to Identify a Practice Offering Dry Needling
If you’re suffering from long term pain or severe injury pain, speak to your doctor about whether dry needling sessions could be an alternative for you. Lots of pain management centres and physiotherapy practices supply dry needling as a treatment for long term pain, especially knee and back pain.
If you’re interested in dry needling, ask your local physiotherapist about what methods are used. Make sure the physiotherapist is certified and uses sterile filaments that are thrown away following one use. It’s likewise essential to note that you should steer clear of dry needling if you suffer from a blood clot disorder, if you’re pregnant, or if you have a heart pacemaker.
Recap
Dry needling is a popular pain management solution that is often utilized to deal with lower back discomfort, neck pain, knee pain, shoulder discomfort and persistent discomfort connected with repeated stress injuries.
Dry needling has also been employed to treat fibromyalgia, a condition defined by chronic muscle discomfort and tiredness. Dry needling may be employed as one component of a pain management strategy in conjunction with other therapies like exercise or massage.
If you are suffering from long term discomfort or pain, speak with your physio therapist about whether dry needling could be an alternative for you.
Numerous people find that regular dry needling procedures help to alleviate their discomfort, or even remove it completely. Try dry needling to enjoy increased range of motion, decreased pain and a greater quality of life.
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