DRY NEEDLING
Dr. Jenn added Dry Needling (DN) in her practice in 2013 and has acquired many different certifications through the years because it is such a profound and powerful
tool to enhance recovery, performance and the bodies ability to heal itself.
The most common questions are, “What is DN”, “Isn’t DN the same as acupuncture?”, “Does it hurt?” and “How can DN help me?”
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This is a great article regarding all the types of dry needling:
https://structureandfunction.net/6-types-of-dry-needling-and-how-to-choose-the-right-one/
DN is an intramuscular technique that utilizes a very thin filament needle, which is a tool that is inserted into soft tissue, specifically neuromuscular tissue. This tool (thin filament needle) is used to treat pain and dysfunction caused by a wide range of musculoskeletal problems and is based on Western medical physiologic approaches. DN impacts local, systemic and segmental responses in the body by disrupting a reflex arc of contracted tissue to promote a return to balance in the body (homeostasis). As the filament needle goes into tissue, it creates microscopic lesions that facilitate a powerful healing response within the body to improve blood flow and increased healing capacity. In addition, DN allows Dr. Jenn to safely treat deeper tissues not accessible by her hands.
DOES DRY NEEDLING HURT?
Dr. Jenn usually answer this question by explaining that each person’s experience and perception to pain changes dramatically to the same stimulus and DN is no different. In her own personal practice and experience in the multiple certification/educational seminars Jennifer has attended, typically people who have fair complexion, blue eyes, blonde/red hair tend to have more painful responses than is clinically desired. In addition, she has seen a similar correlation to individuals with low body fat and low resting blood pressure. Most people don’t particularly enjoy needles because they associate needles with shots. Therefore, they will have a “flight or flight” response to DN, so they may sweat or get anxious. Other individuals may feel completely relaxed during and after a treatment. The most important thing to realize is any practitioner using DN needs to have a full understanding of all the potential reactions and have the appropriate clinical decision skills to safely deal with them.
HOW CAN DRY NEEDLING HELP ME?
WHAT IS DRY NEEDLING?
IS DRY NEEDLING THE SAME AS ACUPUNCTURE?
DN is similar to acupuncture in the sense that a “tool”, which is a thin filament needle is inserted and manipulated under the skin. The difference is that DN is based on western neuroanatomy and as a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy in the state of Arizona, Dr. Jenn utilizes modern scientific study of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems to determine placement, direction, depth and specific combinations of treatment protocols, which may also include needle manipulation and use of electrical stimulation. DN is always used in combination with multiple other modalities in Dr. Jenn's practice.
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In comparison, acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It creates balance in the body by influencing the flow of Qi (energy)
in pathways called meridians to achieve pain relief and alleviate inflammation. DN is performed within the framework of western musculoskeletal diagnoses, not within the theoretical framework of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and not for the purpose of altering the flow of Qi or energy along traditional Chinese meridians.
In Dr. Jenn's practice, DN can be used to treat muscles, ligaments, tendons, subcutaneous fascia, scar tissue, peripheral nerves and neurovascular bundles for the management of acute and chronic conditions, athletic and sports-related overuse injuries, post-surgical pain, scar tissue and swelling, post-traumatic injuries, Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA), and work-related injuries and myofascial pain and myofascial pain syndrome (MPS).