Remedial Massage

Dry needling is the insertion of fine filiform needles into areas of dysfunction that can be found in muscle or fascia. It works on several layers of the body’s system however, the easiest way to describe Dry Needling is to associate it with the body’s ability to heal itself.  It is used, among other things, to encourage a mini inflammatory response that results in vasodilation, or increased blood flow to an area.

Dry Needling can be used directly into knotted muscles or areas of tightness. When applying Dry Needling, the needle is inserted into the knotted area, or trigger point and can be manipulated in various ways to achieve the desired outcome.

Difference to Acupuncture:

Acupuncture is based on esoteric principles that are found in Chinese and Japanese medicine models, where the individual is diagnosed due to imbalances in energy systems found within the body, regardless of whether it is of a musculoskeletal or systemic origin.

The difference between the two models is that Dry Needling uses physiological and scientific principles to guide diagnosis and treatment protocol, where as Acupuncture uses esoteric principles to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal and systemic conditions to restore “energetic” balance in the body.

Is Dry Needling painful?

Needling does not have to be painful to have a response. Individual administration of the needling will be applied according to the individual client.

Dry Needling aims to activate the neural pathways in the body by creating a twitch response in the muscle belly. This can be administered aggressively causing damage to the tissue, and thus being perceived as painful. However ,an equivalent response can be achieved without creating pain.