Acupuncture & Dry Needling
Medical Acupuncture and Dry Needling is a contemporary, western medical approach to managing pain and restoring function.
Medical Acupuncture is an evidence-informed treatment that falls within the scope of physiotherapy practice. It involves the use of sterile, single-use, fine filiform acupuncture needles inserted into specific anatomical points to help reduce pain, restore movement, and support the body’s natural healing processes. Patients seeking acupuncture treatments can benefit from this safe and evidence-based approach provided by our experienced physiotherapists.
Physiotherapists use medical acupuncture as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including sports injuries, neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, tendon injuries, and chronic pain conditions.
The benefits of medical acupuncture may include:
- Improved blood circulation and oxygen delivery to injured tissues
- Reduction of muscle tension and muscle spasms
- Decreased inflammation and pain
- Improved mobility and physical function
By promoting the body’s natural healing response, medical acupuncture can be an effective adjunct to physiotherapy treatment and rehabilitation.
Integrated Dry Needling for Myofascial Pain
Integrated Dry Needling (IDN) is a specialized form of acupuncture that utilizes a scientific, evidence-based approach to treat myofascial pain, muscle dysfunction, and neuropathic pain.
Treatment begins with a thorough physiotherapy assessment to identify myofascial trigger points hyperirritable bands of muscle or fascia that can cause localized pain, referred pain patterns, restricted movement, muscle weakness, and nerve irritation.
During treatment, sterile, single-use acupuncture needles are inserted directly into the identified trigger points to elicit a local twitch response. This response helps release muscle tension, improve circulation, reduce pain, and restore normal muscle function.
The physiological effects to this twitch response are:
- Stimulates receptors in the muscle and tendon to produce a relaxation effect of the muscle
- Improves blood flow and oxygen to the muscle integral for natural healing
- Lowers hyperactivity at motor endplate in muscle thereby improving muscular function and strength
Is acupuncture and dry needling safe?
The needles used for acupuncture and dry needling are sterilized, single-use needles. Your physiotherapist has undergone extensive training in medical acupuncture and dry needling. During your assessment at our Sports Medicine clinic in North York, your Physiotherapist will determine if this is a suitable treatment option for you and whether there are any precautions or contraindications.
Want to learn more about Dry Needling and Acupuncture? Read our guide on Dry Needling vs Acupuncture to understand the differences and benefits of each approach.
What conditions can acupuncture and dry needling treat?
Both acupuncture and dry needling are effective treatments for musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain. Common conditions treated are:
- tension headaches
- neck and upper back pain
- rotator cuff tendinitis
- tennis elbow
- golfers elbow
- carpal tunnel
- postural dysfunction
- lower back pain
- disc herniation
- piriformis syndrome
- hip bursitis
- hamstring strain
- meniscal or ligament sprain/tear
- knee tendinitis
- jumpers knee
- calf strain or tear
- ankle sprain
- achilles tendinitis or tear
- plantar fasciitis
- And Many More…