I am often asked what dry needling is, and how it works. Dry needling, in a sense, is very similar to acupuncture, when it comes down to the tools that we use. We use very thin filaments, which are inserted into the tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments that are dysfunctional and deranged. However, with dry needling, our main focus is on musculoskeletal pain, reduction of pain, and enhancement of soft tissue function.

In a simple form, dry needling normalizes and resets the muscles and tissue to its original homeostatic function. For instance, if a muscle is too tight, tense, and has trigger points and adhesion, dry needling resets it back to a normal density with no spasms or tension. On the other hand, if the muscle is inhibited and is not functioning, as it should, dry needling will reset the mechanism in that muscle, helping to reawaken it.

There are several theories about how dry needling works. One of the predominate theories was proven by observing the brain in a functional MRI, while a patient was treated with metal needles that were not conductive to magnetic fields. This study showed, that the brain sensors responsible for pain reduction became more active, and in turn secreted pain reduction chemicals, such as endorphins.

Another theory suggests that the very thin filaments that are inserted into the tissue, even though they are quite thin and unnoticeable in almost all instances, create damage to thousands of cells. The brain perceives this damage, and initiates a healing effect and rejuvenation of the tissue.

In another study, it was shown that the biochemical changes that occur around the needle are favorable in reducing inflammation and pain.  A final theory of how dry needling works is a study that suggests that a properly placed needle in a triggered point of a muscle or tendon, will send a signal to the nervous system in a reflex form, which will reset the muscle and tissue fibers.

Dry needling differs from acupuncture, in a sense that it does not follow the meridian channels, and focuses primarily on musculoskeletal pain. At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, we utilize dry needling for a variety of symptoms, such as runner knee pain, TMJ, and headaches.

If you have been suffering with pain and are looking for an alternative treatment, contact Integrated Health Solutions, an affordable Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, today at 317.449.2020.

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.

The post How Does Dry Needling Work? appeared first on Integrated Health Solutions.

Working with an active population and athletes on a daily basis, I am constantly searching for cutting edge techniques that reduce recovery time by relaxing the body and healing it. For that, I am an advocate of utilizing dry needling.

Dry needling is a form of acupuncture, otherwise known as medical acupuncture, for treating patients with soft tissue pain and sports injuries.

Using dry needling and acupuncture at our affordable chiropractic office has never ceased to amaze me with the quality of the outcome and speed of the recovery from a variety dysfunctions, contusions, strains, among other sports and soft tissue injuries

What is Dry Needling?

“Dry,” as opposed to “wet”, needling is the gentle application and insertion of very thin filaments in the soft tissue, without injection of any liquid substance or medicine, to treat human tissue dysfunction and pain.

In lieu of just covering up symptoms, dry needling acupuncture focuses more on healing the tissue and addressing the cause of the symptoms. It’s more of a holistic approach instead of just focusing on symptoms alone.

Dry needling is a non-pharmaceutical or chemical therapy that promotes healing by decreasing mechanical stress of the body.

Why Sports Injuries?

Most sports injuries are related to soft tissue dysfunction, or tissue extensibility dysfunction, also referred to as TED.  Even when surgery is unavoidable, recovery from both the injury and the surgery always depends on restoring the physiologic function of soft tissue.

Increased workout frequency and repetitive workout sessions leads to different TED disorders, such as tension, adhesion, trigger points, decreased tissue mobility, scar formation, among others. All of which, will impact performance and training frequency. Its reach goes beyond just the physical stress, and begins affecting athletes on a psychological level, because they are unable to perform without a dysfunctional pattern or without pain. The psychological stress, that is caused by TED begins to affect the athletes emotional level, which in turn results in affecting other systems in the body, such as the immune, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, the performance continues to decrease from that point. As you can see, TED reaches far beyond just a tissue disorder, especially when it results in increased pain and injuries that are beyond just the tissue itself. However, TED is easily fixed with proper therapy.

Dry needling is one of my favorite therapies in resolving TED and reducing trigger points with a technique known as trigger point dry needling. This method of dry needling aids in treating movement dysfunctions and enhancing athletic performance.

Dry needling is a great therapy for maintenance that helps improve recovery and rejuvenation from the micro-trauma caused by training and competing, allowing for faster recovery and continuous training with better performance.

Don’t hesitate in contacting Dr. Charbel, a licensed Chiropractor in Indianapolis, who is also licensed in acupuncture and dry needing, to start your recovery.

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.

The post Dry Needling and Sports Injuries appeared first on Integrated Health Solutions.