Dry needling is a technique involving the insertion of ultra-thin sterile filament needles into tissues to induce a healing response. The chosen points and techniques aim to achieve the following effects:
Alleviate muscle spasms and myofascial trigger points (muscle knots) to enhance functionality
Aid in pain relief
Diminish inflammation
Enhance local immune and healing responses
While dry needling shares similarities with acupuncture, their primary difference lies in the underlying theory. Dry needling aims at pain reduction and function restoration by targeting myofascial trigger points in muscles. In contrast, acupuncture involves stimulating specific points along the body's skin corresponding to energy channels, aiming to restore balance and treat medical conditions by enhancing energy flow.