Many people ask about the difference between dry needling and Chinese acupuncture.
Dry needling is a modern Western medical technique that involves inserting a needle into a trigger point or muscle knot to relieve pain and tension. The purpose is to create an immune response which simply is when you get a mild puncture wound, from a dry needle. Your body starts a natural healing process in that area.
Blood vessels in the area constrict, which helps to slow down bleeding. Then, platelets in the blood form a clot to seal the wound. This forms a scab over the cut to protect it while it heals.
At the same time, white blood cells rush to the needled area. These cells also help to remove any damaged (tight) muscle tissue and clean up the area. The wound will start to heal with new skin cells growing in to replace the damaged (tight) muscle tissue.
The healing process may take 2 to 3 days and will cause some very mild swelling, redness, and mild pain around the area, which is a sign that the body's immune system is working to heal the area. That is how dry needling works.
On the other hand, traditional Chinese acupuncture involves inserting the same needles into specific points all over the body to balance what they call the flow of energy in the body.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, when the flow of energy is disrupted, it can lead to pain and illness. Acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of conditions, including pain, digestive problems, fertility, and anxiety. This can involve needling areas like hands, face, and feet.
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