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 style of tendinomuscular acupuncture carefully palpates Ah Shi points which correspond to motor points as well as trigger points in myofascial tissue. The Chinese style is different from the American and Japanese style because it uses lower gauge needles while the former use higher gauge needles. The use of lower gauge needles ensures precision in puncturing contraction knots. Most styles of acupuncture need practitioners to be very knowledgeable about channel networks and connections as well as the western anatomy.

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.

The use of solid needles was initially surrounded by concerns. Compared to hypodermic needles, solid needles were thought to lack the tactile feedback and strength needed. Practitioners also thought that they could be deflected easily by dense contraction knots. However, these claims were later discarded as unfounded. As such, solid needles were adopted and are in use to this day.

In fact, it has been concluded by research that dense muscle knots are penetrated easier and better by acupuncture needles. They also give better tactile feedback and patients experience less discomfort. Acupuncture needle is the official FDA designation for the needles used. However, the technical design term, solid filiform needle, was introduced by practitioners whose scope of practice excludes acupuncture but allows them to offer IMS.

Currently, no standards for dry needling exist. There is also no body of evidence to indicate its efficacy in managing the medical conditions it claims. Most of the studies that were conducted on this technique were crowded by a lot of issues that made it impossible for any strong evidence to be gathered. For instance, sample sizes employed were small, drop out rates were high, and studies lacked randomization.

The studies did not specify if the pain felt came solely as a result of myofascial trigger points. Also, they failed to follow minimally acceptable criteria that should be followed when diagnosing a myofascial trigger point. In some studies, there were drop out rates of up to 48 percent. However, studies that were completed concluded that IMS improves mood, function, and disability.

This treatment option is taught and practiced in various places worldwide. The professionals who teach and practice include chiropractors, acupuncturists, physical therapists, naturopathic physicians, doctors of osteopathic medicine, and doctors of medicine among others. In the US, ISM is part of the scope of practice of Doctors of Medicine, acupuncturists, and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment