15 Jun What is Dry Needling?
One of the many services Agape Therapy offers at their clinics is dry needling. The dry needling technique involves using a thin filiform needle much like that used in acupuncture. Dry needling and acupuncture are different. Acupuncture addresses the meridian system and dry needling addresses the nervous system.
These filiform needles are inserted into 3 types of points. The theory is that the insertion of the needles create a micro lesion that will tell your body to restart a healing process. The 3 points consist of paravertebral points (at the spinal level), symptomatic points, and homeostatic points (26 most common found in population).
There is also opportunity to insert needles into trigger points. Trigger points are knots that have become neurologically involved. This method is primarily used for reaching areas in the body that are too deep for manual therapy. The pain from this technique is minimal, yet the benefits can be great. Dry needling is great for alleviating pain and allowing more movement through the muscle. Tension headaches are a common issues that can be caused by trigger points. These painful trigger points are often located in the neck or upper shoulder region. When the needle is inserted the muscle will begin to relax causing a positive relaxation within the tender area.
Dry needling is a great tool physical therapists here at Agape have available for patients. Good news, you don’t have to be getting therapy to get dry needles. You also can call for an appointment and receive dry needling as a cash pay service.
85% of people benefit from dry needling. These are great odds!
by Isaiah Vlasek, Wellness Intern