Dry Needling

While browsing through Twitter one day, I noticed a professional football player posted a picture of his dry needling session. I already knew many professional athletes benefit from chiropractic, and I was thrilled to see that they are now using the dry needling treatment technique that I also use in my office.Dry needling is used to relax contracted muscles, improve blood and lymphatic circulation, and stimulate the stretch reflex in muscles. While needles are used in this treatment, dry needling IS NOT to be confused with acupuncture. The way it works is that a dry needle is inserted into areas of the muscles known as trigger points. Certain trigger points are associated with pain in certain parts of the body. The needle in the trigger point causes a contracted muscle to twitch, which disrupts the neurological feedback loop that keeps the muscle in the contracted state. This twitch causes the muscle spasm to release.Research regarding dry needling is still relatively new, but so far supports that it helps control pain, it reduces muscle tension and it helps accelerate the rehabilitation process.In addition to using this treatment with rehabilitation cases and other muscular pain, I’ve used it to help people experiencing such issues as chronic headaches, sprained ankles and sinus troubles.