Dry Needling
Falls Healing Arts is always looking to provide the latest types of treatments that are not only effective
but can also enhance the well rounded care we provide.
We are happy to introduce dry needling as our newest therapy we offer to our patients.
This treatment is performed by Dr. Klueger.
F.A.Q about dry needling:
What is dry needling?
Dry needling is defined as "a skilled intervention that uses a thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular, and connective tissues for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments." (1)
Does dry needling hurt?
In general, dry needling does not hurt. Since the needles are extremely thin, the insertion can commonly go unnoticed by the patient. "Sometimes the muscle will twitch when you put it in, and it can feel sore if that happens. You usually will feel a little muscle ache or soreness for a day or two after that feels like you worked out that muscle." (2)
How does dry needling work?
Dry needling is the process of placing small thin needles into the muscle tissue. Each placement can reduce pain by activating trigger points and restoring the proper function back to each muscle formation. The placement can also be done in many locations along the body. These locations include but not limited to: shoulders, hands, neck, heels, hips, back (upper, mid, & lower), etc.
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are tight bands of muscle fibers that can send pain signals throughout the body. Affected trigger points can cause a restricted range of motion and persistent pain. When these trigger points become activated with the thin needle during the dry needling treatment, the body recognizes the need to increase blood flow to the selected area. This results in the bodies natural healing process to reduce pain and muscle tightness.
What is the difference between acupuncture and dry needling?
While acupuncture and dry needling both use small thin needles during each treatment, the science and research behind each are widely different.
Firstly, both are preformed by different types of practitioners that also require different training styles. For example, while acupuncture is based off of Eastern medicine, that values the balancing of ones energy. Whereas, dry needling is based off of Western medicine, that looks to the science of the bodies movement, pain receptors, and the nervous system. "Dry needling and acupuncture differ in the technique and theory for how and where the needles are placed.
Dry needling is focused on using strong stimulation on the muscles to get them to release. Acupuncture, on the other hand, does not use strong stimulation and it is based on channel theory."(3)
Sources:
(1) APTA. Description of dry needling in clinical practice: an educational resource paper. Alexandria, VA, USA: APTA Public Policy, Practice, and Professional Affairs Unit; 2013. [Google Scholar]
(2) “Pinpointing Your Muscle Pain: Is Dry Needling Right for You?” UNC Health Talk, 25 Aug. 2022, https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/pinpointing-your-muscle-pain-is-dry-needling-right-for-you/.
(3) Circa. “Ask the Acupuncturist: What Is the Difference between Dry Needling and Acupuncture? - Encircle Acupuncture: Nashville's Leading Acupuncture Clinic.” Encircle Acupuncture | Nashville's Leading Acupuncture Clinic, 23 Aug. 2019, https://encircleacupuncture.com/recent-article-title/#:~:text=Dry%20needling%20is%20focused%20on,to%20heal%20the%20body%20naturally.
