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Dry Needling Hand Out

Dry needling involves inserting needles into trigger points in muscles to reduce pain and improve function. It differs from acupuncture in that the needles target trigger points rather than predetermined acupuncture points. Needling stimulates the nervous system which releases endorphins and improves blood flow, reducing pain, swelling, and the need for pain medication. Common conditions it can help include low back pain, headaches, knee pain, and muscle tightness.

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Suleiman Abdallah
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116 views

Dry Needling Hand Out

Dry needling involves inserting needles into trigger points in muscles to reduce pain and improve function. It differs from acupuncture in that the needles target trigger points rather than predetermined acupuncture points. Needling stimulates the nervous system which releases endorphins and improves blood flow, reducing pain, swelling, and the need for pain medication. Common conditions it can help include low back pain, headaches, knee pain, and muscle tightness.

Uploaded by

Suleiman Abdallah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DRY NEEDLING:

Dry needling is the use of needles in physiotherapy, which differs from traditional Chinese
acupuncture. It is a treatment that involves needle being pushed through the skin to stimulate a trigger
point.

What is the difference between Acupuncture and Dry Needling


Acupuncture is a technique whereby the needles are placed in specific, pre-determined acupuncture
points.
Dry Needling is a form of acupuncture where the needles are placed in muscle trigger points. A
Trigger point is an irritable, overactive point in skeletal muscle or fascia that can be felt as a knot or
band in the muscle.
Dry needling may release the tight muscle bands associated with trigger points and lead to decreased
pain and improved function.

What are the Physiological Effects of Needling


- Releases Pain Relieving Endorphins
- Increases Blood Flow to Injury Sites
- Increases Oxygenation to Injury Sites
Therefore Needling can:
- Reduce Pain
- Reduce the need of pain relieving medication
- Reduce Swelling
- Improve function for activities of daily living

How Does it Work


Research has shown that acupuncture increases the circulation, blood flow and blood vessel
movement throughout the body, which causes more oxygen flow to the muscles.
This helps flush toxins, waste products, and other chemicals from the tissues improving their overall
function.
Research also shows that small electrical currents are generated by the insertion of a needle into the
connective tissues stimulating the neural system and the fascia. As the neural system and fascia
covers the entire body, these effects could occur at the site of needle insertion, and also at a distance
from the needle insertion point.

When needling stimulates the nerve fibres in the muscles, impulses are sent to the spinal cord and
different areas of the brain. These centres then release endorphins and other chemicals which block
pain impulses.
Which Conditions Can it Help
- Chronic (ongoing) Low Back Pain
- Headaches
- Anterior Knee Pain
- Tendinopathy
- Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis
- Pelvic and Back Pain in Pregnancy
- Pain arising from muscle trigger points and any condition that can cause muscle tightness.

PRACTICAL

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