Acupuncture was first introduced in the US in the 1970s, and it has steadily gained a following since because of its effectiveness in treat certain ailments. Nowadays, acupuncture is considered a mainstream alternative or supplement to western medicine. Many athletes suffering from pain due to sports injuries turn to acupuncture specialists to feel better. Acupuncture can help promote an overall sense of health and well-being, too.
Some
experts say that acupuncture may be a safer alternative to taking pain
medication for arthritis. A new study by the NIH shows that the side effects of
the acupuncture treatment are substantially fewer than that of pain relief
medications. Research further verified the effectiveness of acupuncture in
treating neck pain, headaches, osteoarthritis, shoulder pain, and other chronic
conditions.
Dry
needling is a form of Western medical acupuncture that involves the insertion
of fine needles into myofascial trigger points, which are directly linked to
the maintenance and production of the pain cycle. The technique was adapted
from Chinese Acupuncture using knowledge and understanding of physiology,
pathology, and anatomy, combined with the principles of evidence-based
medicine. Dry needling seeks to stimulate the nervous system, and it has been
proven to be beneficial for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain.
Acupuncture
dry needling can be used to treat other conditions like chronic back
pain, too. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence produced
guidelines recommending this form of treatment to relieve persistent and
non-specific lower back discomfort.
Make
sure that the acupuncturist is certified and licensed to practise locally and
provide acupuncture dry needling treatments. Look for a clinic that specialises
in sports injury rehabilitation and improvement of athletic performance through
effective treatment programmes that assess, train, condition, and rehabilitate.
A good acupuncture clinic also provides treatments and programmes for
successful injury prevention.
