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, though not all acupunctural forms are covered by IMS and these two are different, some acupunctural forms can be termed specifically using the name IMS. These include tendinomuscular Acupuncture, Myofascial Acupuncture, and versions of Sports Acupuncture. A book written by Janet Travell was the first to describe the term dry needling. Thus, the credit for coining the term is often given to her.
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 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.
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, though not all acupunctural forms are covered by IMS and these two are different, some acupunctural forms can be termed specifically using the name IMS. These include tendinomuscular Acupuncture, Myofascial Acupuncture, and versions of Sports Acupuncture. A book written by Janet Travell was the first to describe the term dry needling. Thus, the credit for coining the term is often given to her.
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 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.
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