To Find Professionals In Dry Needling Pennsylvania Is The Way To Go

By Richard Collins


Dry needling refers to the use of needles for therapy of muscle pain such as myofascial pain syndrome. There are two types of acupuncture needles used in this process, that is, hollo-core hypodermic and solid filiform needles. This process is also sometimes referred to using the name intramuscular stimulation (IMS). Dry needling or IMS is one of the many subcategories (traditional practices) that are classified under western acupunctural medicine. Whenever there is need of professionals in dry needling Pennsylvania is the place to visit.

The Chinese version of tendinomuscular acupuncture relies on carefully palpating Ah Shi points which often correspond to both motor and trigger points in the myofascial tissue. As opposed to the Japanese and American styles which utilize higher gauge needles, the Chinese style makes use of lower gauge needles necessary for precise puncturing of contraction knots. Having a detailed knowledge of channel networks and connections and of the western anatomy is very crucial in most acupuncture styles.

As such, even though not all forms of acupuncture are covered under IMS and the two practices differ, some forms of acupuncture can be referred to specifically using the term IMS. Those forms include versions of Sports Acupuncture, tendinomuscular Acupuncture, and Myofascial Acupuncture. The term dry needling was first described in a book by a woman named Janet Travell. Thus, she is credited with coining the term.

Concerns initially existed about the use of solid needles. They were viewed as lacking in strength and tactile feedback like the one derived from hypodermic needles. They were also viewed to be capable of being deflected by dense contraction knots. However, research later determined that those concerns were unfounded. Therefore solid or acupuncture needles are now in wide use.

In fact, research has concluded that dense muscle knots are penetrated better and easier by acupuncture needles and the tactile feedback they provide is also better. Also, patients feel less uncomfortable and the needles are easier to manage. The official FDA designation for the needles used is acupuncture needles, but practitioners offering IMS without the scope of acupuncture in their profession introduced the term solid filiform needle. That is the technical design term.

Currently, there are no standards in dry needling. Also, its efficacy is not indicated by and body of evidence, but mostly claims. Most studies to determine efficacy in the technique were crowded by issues that rendered it impossible to gather any strong evidence. For example, most sample sizes used were small, there were high drop out rates, and randomization was not applied.

The studies failed to state if the pain the patient felt was solely caused by myofascial trigger points. Additionally, they did not adhere to minimally acceptable criteria that need to be followed to diagnose a myofascial trigger point. Drop out rates in some studies have been as high as 48 percent. However, research studies that continued to the end concluded that IMS can improve function, disability, and mood.

This approach to treatment is taught and practiced in many parts of the world. Teachers and practitioners can be physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, doctors of medicine, naturopathic physicians, and osteopathic doctors several many others. In the United States, the scope of practice of acupuncturists, Doctors of Medicine, and Osteopathic doctors include IMS.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment