Acupuncture dry needling for Chronic Pain

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.