Also referred to as intramuscular stimulation (IMS), dry needling is a pain management technique that’s largely considered safe and effective for many patients. Similar in concept to acupuncture, it’s a process that involves the insertion of sterile needles into pain-producing trigger points. Here’s a closer look at the key benefits associated with dry needling.
Improving Physical Function
Dry needling addresses active trigger points that are causing your discomfort. The needles are placed around these pain-initiating points strategically. Doing so eases your discomfort and improves your physical function if you respond well to the treatment. The needles release metabolic waste chemicals that are “blocking” the muscles, which increases circulation and facilitates the body’s natural healing processes.
Targeting Pain Points with Precision
Unlike acupuncture, dry needling doesn’t necessarily involve the placement of multiple needles in order to promote healing and ease muscle tension. Prior to the insertion of needles, a comprehensive assessment of your muscles and their tight spots will be done. The most painful points can be targeted first. Because of the precision with needle placement, you may benefit from the insertion of a just a few needles in the right spots.
Fitting in Well with Other Treatments
Intramuscular stimulation is often part of a multi-faceted treatment program. In fact, it’s common for patients who respond well to treatment with needles to be involved with physical therapy programs that include targeted therapeutic exercises and routines that help improve range of motion, flexibility, and stability.
Achieving Recovery Goals Faster
One of the more appealing benefits of dry needling is the potential to achieve your recovery goals faster. For example, if you are a competitive runner, needle treatments focusing on painful trigger points may make it easier for you to benefit from reconditioning exercises. This could get you back to your pre-injury level of performance sooner than what would happen without needle treatments.
Reducing the Need for ‘Pain Masking’ Remedies
It’s common for people with chronic pain to rely on medication and other remedies that only treat symptoms but not the actual source of the discomfort being experienced. Intramuscular stimulation is intended to treat the pain points that are causing you the most discomfort.
Dry needling has the potential to deliver results for individuals wishing to up their game by optimizing their performance, patients recovering from soft tissue injuries, and people looking to prevent certain conditions or injuries from becoming chronic in nature. To learn more information about this treatment, contact us today at La Grange Chiropractic and book an appointment at our office in La Grange.