Chiropractic has many different treatment options that provide all kinds of people with holistic and non-intrusive health care. Dry needling is one such treatment. However, not everyone is familiar with Dry Needling, and there are tons of questions about the practice. What is dry needling? What is dry needling used to treat? The Chiropractic Center of Erie and the Chiropractic Center of Longmont has all the answers you need to know about Dry Needling.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry Needling is a technique that many physical therapists and chiropractors use. The name “Dry Needling” comes from using a dry needle, one without any medication. In fact, the needles have no way of injecting anything. Dry Needling also goes by Trigger Point Dry Needling or Intramuscular Manual Therapy. The needles themselves are carefully put into key sections of the body known as “trigger points.” These trigger points are sections of muscles that develop knots. So that’s what Dry Needling is, but what’s the point?
What is Dry Needling Used To Treat?
Dry needling can help a myriad of problems. When muscles knot themselves up in trigger points it can cause pain and discomfort, decrease the range of motion, and even disrupt the muscle’s functions entirely. By inserting dry needles into the trigger points, your body increases blood flow to the area and decreases the tightness in the muscles.
The body is tricked into believing there is a wound in the area where the needle was inserted and reacts by sending its’ healing ability to the area including but not limited to; circulation changes, hormone release, STEM cells, white cells, and so on. This promotes quick healing as well as relieves local pain. Dry Needling can help all manors of injuries including joint problems, tendonitis, whiplash, extremity and spine problems.
Is Dry Needling the Same as Acupuncture?
It’s a common misconception that Dry Needling is the same as Acupuncture. The opposite is true. While they both use needles, Acupuncture and Dry Needling are very different. Dry Needling is based on scientifically proven Western medicine that provides treatment through what we know of the human body such as bones, nerves, and muscles, and is a fairly recent development in comparison to Acupuncture.
Acupuncture is based on an ancient eastern tradition of opening up Chi pathways which in laymen’s terms can be considered ‘energy channels’ through the body to help induce healing. The differences set them apart as Acupuncture treats through energy channels and Dry Needling treats through what is known as the neuromusculoskeletal system and subsequently its effect on the entire body.
Summary
Dry Needling is a chiropractic technique of using needles to help improve muscle pain and tension as well as promote healing in trigger points. It can be used to treat many injuries. If you’re interested in seeing a chiropractor or even in Dry Needling visit us at one of our offices, in Erie or in Longmont. The Chiropractic Center of Erie and Chiropractic Center of Longmont treat the body holistically with our award-winning treatment process, in fact, we have been voted “Best of the West” eleven times and our aim is to help your body achieve and maintain optimal performance.
We specialize in treating patients suffering from spinal pain and many other maladies and have helped several patients find relief without the need for surgery. If you’d like to learn more about chiropractic care in Longmont or Erie or have questions about what to expect during your first chiropractor visit in Erie or Longmont, call our offices today at 303-828-3000 or 303-772-1950!
