Dry Needling/ Acupuncture
Dry Needling, also known as Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS), is an effective technique usedto treat pain arising from muscles and/or nerves. Dry needling involves inserting a needle, without medication or injection, into an area of the muscle known as a trigger point.
A trigger point is an irritable, hard “knot” within a muscle that is painful when palpated and can produce significant pain over a large area.
Dry needling works by advancing the needle into the trigger point, causingthe muscle to grab onto the needle in an attempt to “repel” it. This is called a localized twitch response. This localized effect deactivates the trigger point, relaxingthe muscle. This can result in significant pain relief, decrease muscle tension, increase the range of motion, and a more efficient recovery period.
A broad range of musculoskeletal injuries can be treated effectively with dry needling. These include:
• Shin splints
• Headaches
• Tennis and Golfer’s elbow
• Shoulder pain
• Repetitive overuse injuries