I’ve been doing acupuncture since 2011. I find it really interesting and there is a lot of research to support its use. However, it wasn’t until I got into Dry Needling, a sub-classification of acupuncture that focuses on pain, that I really became obsessed with it. Dry needling brought all my acupuncture training into focus. I had an “ah-ha” moment. After all, my specialty is musculoskeletal pain management. And some aspects of acupuncture aren’t in my proverbial “wheelhouse”. But Dry Needling is.
Dry Needling uses thin acupuncture needles to target painful trigger points, muscle bellies, tendons, joints, fascial lines, and acupuncture points. All with the sole purpose of relieving pain and improving joint mechanics.
When you insert small needles into these points, your body can have a substantial response. To start, it releases enkephalins and endorphins, your body’s natural opioids (pain killers). The needle itself causes a tiny trauma to the skin and muscle. As a result, the injured tissue releases a lot of chemicals to heal itself, including the joint or area of the body that’s been causing your pain.
Most importantly, it works through Gate Theory. It works like this: Remember the last time you stubbed your toe? What was the first thing you did? I bet you grabbed your foot and started rubbing the painful toe.
Do you want to know why, and everyone else, does that?
It’s because the nerve fibers in your toe responsible for the sense of touch (the nerve fibers that feel you rubbing your toe) are not the same nerve fibers that report pain to your brain. In fact, these nerve fibers are bigger and faster than the pain nerves. So, when both the pain and the sense of rubbing signals get sent to your brain, your brain only registers the rubbing. Cool right?
Same thing when you hit your head. Your first instinct is to rub the painful spot.
The needle does the exact same thing. Your body feels the needle like it feels rubbing and cancels out your pain. This is very useful in my line of work when some patients are in so much pain they can barely function.
Never stop learning! Especially when that learning can help others. If you are interested in dry needling and how it can help you get back to living life at 100%, Schedule an Appointment so we can get started.
Dr. Andy, your Burlington NC chiropractor, specializes in providing evidence-based, conservative care for our Alamance County desk workers, teachers, and Crossfit athletes. Schedule an appointment with him today via our website or call us at 336-270-3050.
