Dry needling can help to reduce inflammation, release tight muscles, and get your pain under control. It can help a wide range of conditions and is often part of a comprehensive treatment plan to improve the overall health and function of your body. If you are searching for ways to heal that don't involve prescription medication, it's time to try dry needling as part of holistic care.
The Basics of Dry Needling
Dry needling uses the same type of needle as acupuncture, although the process is slightly different. Many people find relief after dry needling treatment is done. The thin needle is inserted into specific points on the body, into the soft tissue. This helps to relieve spasms, breaks up scar tissue, and improves the function of a tightened muscle.
What Does Dry Needling Help?
Dry needling is used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to deal with many types of conditions. From headaches to muscle aches to whiplash, it is an effective treatment to ease pain and reduce inflammation.
Whether you are dealing with whiplash after an auto accident or a soft tissue injury from playing sports, dry needling can help you recover more quickly. If you are interested in dry needling, talk to our chiropractor during your assessment to see if this is something that would work for you.
What is the Difference Between Dry Needling and Acupuncture?
Both Dry Needling and Acupuncture use the same tool; a solid thin filament needle, but the intent of the treatment is very different. The primary difference is the philosophy and intent of the therapists performing the procedure.
With acupuncture, the goal is to influence the body’s health by inserting needles into the various meridians with the intent of making a change to the energy flowing through the meridians to influence overall health. Dry needling, on the other hand, uses the same needle to treat overactive tissues to help control muscle tone, and inflammation and decrease pain.
Does it Hurt?
In most instances, the insertion of the treatment needle feels like a scratch. However, if the muscle is sensitive due to spasm or trigger points, the patient my feel a dull ache in the muscle or get a twitch response.
Who Can Benefit From Dry Needling?
Almost anyone can benefit from Dry Needling who is experiencing pain, muscles spams and trigger points. Some of the most common conditions treated by Dry Needling include the following:
-
Muscle Strains
-
Muscle Spasms
-
Trigger Points
-
Headaches
-
Neck Pain
-
Back Pain
-
Sciatica
-
Tendonitis
-
Rotator Cuff Syndrome
-
Overuse Injuries
-
Tennis and Golfers Elbow
-
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
-
Plantar Fasciitis
-
Achilles Tendonitis
-
Whiplash
Are There any Side Effects to Dry Needling?
Side effects may vary among individuals. The most common side effects are muscle soreness, skin irritation and bruising.
Is Dry Needling Covered by Health Insurance?
In North Carolina, Dry Needling is not covered by insurance, but it is an affordable cash-based procedure.
Schedule Your Chiropractic Treatment Today
At Chiropractic Partners in Raleigh, NC, Dr. Matthew Schmid and Dr. Cory Voorhis are ready to talk to you about your treatment needs. Give us a call today at 919-847-3122 and schedule your initial consultation. When treatment begins, you might receive spinal adjustments, dry needling, or other forms of trigger point therapy to help you heal from the pain, stiffness, and swelling.