More About Dry Needling Pennsylvania Clinics

By Robert Edwards


Pain management is an important facet of medical care these days. Many of the protocols depend on pharmaceutical drugs. Those who are afraid of getting hooked on prescription medication, or others who find drugs an incomplete answer, may want to investigate dry needling Pennsylvania clinic therapy. This therapy has slowly gained in popularity since its beginnings over forty years ago.

The therapy itself is simple, although the subject is complex, with its own terminology and philosophy. Think of it as a form of acupuncture, in which needles are inserted through the skin. However, the target is compacted muscles tissue rather than energy-releasing points. Trigger points are stimulated, as well, to affect muscles or tendons that need to relax and stretch to normal positions.

The needle used can be either solid - like an acupuncture needle - or hollow. Hollow ones are used to inject local anesthetic, corticosteroids, or other liquids into a precise spot that the therapist wants to affect. The needle elicits a desired response from a muscle; its use as an instrument for injections is of secondary importance.

Muscles can contract and fail to release again. This instinctive reaction to potential injury - or sometimes to tension - is what is called 'knotting' by massage therapists. When muscles freeze like this, they can affect skeletal alignment and cause pain in their immediate area or in other parts of the body.

With a needle, a skillful therapist can reach deeper into tissues than massage can go. The instrument allows precise stimulation, which can release a knotted muscle. Both athletes and sedentary patients experience an increase in muscle tone and flexibility with needling. As muscles relax, the tissue also lengthens and normal movement may be restored.

Insertion of the needles through the skin is usually painless. The stimulation of muscle tissue may result in cramping, as nerve endings react. Minor bruising and soreness can result from treatment. Ice packs or soaking in Epsom salt baths usually brings relief. Mild physical activity is often recommended after treatments, although anything heavy or strenuous should be avoided.

The average course of treatment is two to four sessions. This treatment is used extensively in sports medicine and in pain management. It is considered a very safe and non-invasive way to provide relief and promote healing. Side effects may be similar to those of deep tissue massage, mainly tiredness and soreness.

Check for clinics in your area that practice this therapy, which has some similarities to acupuncture but which is based on a different philosophy. The clinicians will be able to explain the program and advise people on whether their condition warrants this treatment. Dry needling holds out hope to those who suffer chronic back pain, for instance, or who have suffered an injury while exercising. It definitely is worth trying this mechanical way to relief and recovery before more extreme methods, like surgery, are considered.




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