Sunday, April 17, 2016

For Experts In Dry Needling Pennsylvania Is Worth Visiting

By Richard Collins


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 dry needling Pennsylvania is worth visiting.

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.

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, dry needling does not have any standards. In addition, the practice is filled with claims without a body of proof and evidence. Methods that attempt to determine its efficacy are characterized by the use of methods that making gathering of strong evidence impossible. For instance, small sample sizes, high drop out rates, and lack of randomization are common.

No specification was made by the studies whether or not myofascial trigger points were the sole source of pain felt. In addition, their diagnosis of myofascial trigger point did not follow minimally acceptable criteria. Some studies had candidates dropping out up to almost half the initial number. However, the conclusion that IMS enhances disability, mood, and function was reached by studies that proceeded to the end.

IMS is a treatment that is practiced and taught in many places worldwide. The teaching and practicing is done by various medical professionals including acupuncturists, physical therapists, doctors of osteopathic medicine, naturopathic physicians, doctors of medicine, and chiropractors among others. The scope of practice of acupuncturists, and Doctors of Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine covers IMS.




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