Frequently Asked Questions About Dry Needling at Highland Chiropractic

If you've been looking into natural, drug-free treatments to address a nagging pain condition, you may have seen the phrase "dry needling" pop up. But what is this odd-sounding technique all about, how does it work, and what can it treat? Let's look at some frequently asked questions on the subject at Highland Chiropractic in Louisville KY.

What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling refers to the use of solid needles (as opposed to hollow hypodermic needles that deliver medication) as a therapeutic tool. You may also hear it called Intramuscular Manual Therapy, or IMT. The thin, sterile needles are used to relax trigger points in the body.

What Are Trigger Points

Trigger points are tight knots of muscle which are known to cause many kinds of pain. Trigger points may produce muscle weakness, pain, and stiffness, not only at the points themselves but also in the form of referred symptoms to other parts of the body.

How Does Dry Needling Relieve Trigger Point Issues?

When the dry needling filaments are inserted into the trigger points, they cause a muscular reaction called a local twitch response. This reaction seems to break the cycle of tightness and spams in the muscle. It may also alter the conduction of pain signals and improve blood flow to the treated area.

What Conditions Do You Treat With Dry Needling?

Our chiropractor may prescribe dry needling as a treatment for practically any neuromuscular condition in which trigger points are involved. The technique can prove effective for carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle strains, sciatica, shoulder problems, plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the foot's arches), and many other painful conditions.

What's the Difference Between Dry Needling and Acupuncture?

Acupuncture uses thin, solid needles, but it employs them in a completely different way. Acupuncture is based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, in which the strategic use of needles can divert the flow of bodily energies to improve health. Dry needling focuses on the specific goal of releasing tight muscle fibers that cause pain and other symptoms.

What Can I Expect From the Experience of Dry Needling?

You should feel no significant discomfort from the needle insertion since the needles are so thin. The local twitch response usually causes a brief ache in the muscle or aggravates a referred pain issue. But this only means that it's successfully addressing what ails you!

Call Our Louisville KY Clinic for More Answers

If you're intrigued by the potential of dry needling for improving your quality of life, you can get the answers to all your questions at Highland Chiropractic. Call our Louisville KY clinic at 502-454-5000 to set up a consultation