Benefits Of Dry Needling Pennsylvania

By Robert Edwards


People who live with chronic pain find every day a trial. Those who pull a hamstring or sprain an ankle playing their favorite sport also find the days to recovery difficult. Dry needling Pennsylvania is a therapy designed to speed healing and offer pain relief. With this form of therapy, there is no fear of becoming dependent on prescription medication or suffering its side effects.

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.

Filiform needles are used in many cases. These are solid and usually slightly larger in diameter than an acupuncture tool. In cases where an injection of corticosteroids or other therapeutic substance is called for, hollow hypodermic needles are used. The needle allows the therapist to pinpoint the target and stimulate a muscle or a trigger point.

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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