Apr 15, 2016

For The Best Specialists In Dry Needling Pennsylvania Should Be Prioritized

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By Richard Collins


Dry needling is some kind of therapy of muscle pain including myofascial pain syndrome that utilizes needles. Two major kinds of needles are used in this therapy, these are solid filiform and hollo-core hypodermic needles. Intramuscular stimulation (IMS) is the other name often used to refer to this technique. It falls under western medical acupuncture. If in need of high-quality dry needling Pennsylvania is among the places to prioritize.

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, 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, it has been concluded by research that dense muscle knots are penetrated easier and better by acupuncture needles. They also give better tactile feedback and patients experience less discomfort. Acupuncture needle is the official FDA designation for the needles used. However, the technical design term, solid filiform needle, was introduced by practitioners whose scope of practice excludes acupuncture but allows them to offer IMS.

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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