Dry needling is a form of therapy of muscle pain like myofascial pain syndrome, which uses needles. This process makes use of two kinds of acupuncture needles, that is, solid filiform needles and hollo-core hypodermic needles. The other name for this process is intramuscular stimulation (IMS). It is among the many traditional practices that fall under western medical acupuncture. When in need of
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In the Chinese style of tendinomuscular acupuncture Ah Shi points are carefully palpated, As Shi points correspond to trigger points as well as motor points in myofascial tissues. The Chinese style differs from the Japanese and American and Japanese styles which use higher gauge needles by using lower gauge needles. Lower gauge needles increase precision in puncturing contraction knots. Practitioners in most acupunctural styles need to possess a great deal of knowledge in western anatomy as well as channel networks and connections.
As such, although the IMS does not cover all versions of acupuncture and the two are not the same, the term can be used to specifically refer to some versions of acupuncture. Those forms of acupuncture to which IMS refers to specifically include some versions of Sports Acupuncture, Myofascial Acupuncture, and tendinomuscular Acupuncture. Janet Travell is often credited with coming up with the term dry needling, which she described in her book.
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, research has found that acupuncture needles penetrate dense muscle knots better and easier and they also offer better tactile feedback. They are also easy to manage and patients feel less discomfort. Acupuncture needle is an FDA designation, but the name solid filiform needle was introduced by some practitioners who offered IMS but their scope did not include acupuncture. Solid filiform needle is a 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 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 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.