Acupuncture/Dry Needling

This is a form of traditional Chinese Medicine which has been used to treat a variety of conditions and promote well-being for thousands of years. It involves the insertion of fine one-use sterile needles into specific body points or lines of force (called Meridians). In orthopaedic or sports medicine it compliments other conventional treatment to reduce pain and restore normal movement and health.

This is a western form of medical treatment and once again involves the insertion of fine acupuncture needles into injured muscle. Dry needling works by targeting the needle insertion at myofascial trigger points in the muscle, creating a local twitch response in the muscle. This results in a reduction in the muscle tone or spasm, pain relief and restores normal elasticity and movement to the tissue. It’s effect is immediate and lasting and this accelerates the healing process. A myofascial trigger point is defined as a hyper-irritable spot in a muscle “with a hyper sensitive palpable nodule in a taut band”. It is very similar to a “tight knot” in a muscle. Fortunately for anyone who is needle phobic it can also be successfully treated with deep trigger point pressure applied by the skilled therapist’s hands.