Dry needling is the secret sauce used in physical therapy to treat tight muscles and pain in areas such as the back, neck, hip, shoulder, calf, and many others.
Not many people know about this type of treatment and if you have been suffering from pain it should be on your radar.
One common question we get about dry needling is how does it differ from acupuncture? So here are 3 ways dry needling is different from acupuncture.
1. Eastern Medicine vs Western Medicine
Acupuncture is rooted is eastern Chinese medicine while dry needling comes from traditional western medicine. The treatment philosophy behind acupuncture is treating pain by using certain stimulus points on the body known to release energy for the area of pain called meridians, the needles used are typically not even inserted at the area of pain. While dry needling targets the area of pain and tight areas of muscle directly with the needle.
2. How the Needles are Used
In acupuncture, once the needles are inserted, there isn’t much else that happens and the needles are inserted to a fairly shallow depth. In dry needling, the therapist will sometimes pass the needle at different angles through the tissue and sometimes use electrical stimulation to get the muscle pulsing to further relax it. The needles also can go a lot deeper, depending on what area is being treated to get through the full thickness of muscle.
3. The Purpose of Treatment
The main purpose of acupuncture is to relieve pain and symptoms. While the intent of dry needling is to also relieve pain and symptoms, it can also be used as a treatment to increase range of motion at a joint and restore the function of the muscle being treated.
If you have tried everything out there for your pain such as massage, acupuncture, chiropractic work, or even traditional physical therapy before or you have never had treatment and want the best result possible, dry needling can be your answer to a pain free life.
Starting July 22nd (2019), we will be offering a week of free exams in come in and learn more about dry needling, get an assessment of your injury or pain, and you will have the option to purchase a treatment package of dry needling sessions at a significant discount. This has never been offered before and is your chance to find out the cause of your pain and get treatment to solve your problem.
To reserve your spot, call 414-856-7044.
Doctors of Physical Therapy, located in Milwaukee, WI
