Lucks Yard Chiropractic Clinic Godalming Surrey - Acupuncture

Acupuncture

Although we currently do not offer Chinese acupuncture as a therapy, our ChiropractorLaura Hack offers dry needling/medical acupuncture.

What is the difference between dry needling and Chinese acupuncture?

During traditional Chinese acupuncture session, needles are inserted into points along meridian lines. These lines represent the body’s organs, and they are based on ancient Chinese medicine. Acupuncture is based on the idea of balance and restoring proper flow of energy throughout the body.  Needles are usually left in place for 15 to 30 minutes. It is most often used to treat internal ailments, including digestive problems, insomnia, stress and chronic pain.

Dry Needling, also known as Medical Acupuncture is used as a treatment to reduce the pain in many acute and chronic muscle conditions. Needles are inserted into trigger points, or tender bands of muscle located within larger muscles.

It can also be effective in stimulating tissue repair and reduced pain in chronic tendon problems, for example tennis elbow or pain in the achilles tendon.

When treating muscular pain thin needles (like those used in acupuncture) are inserted into the trigger points that are found in muscles. A thin microfilament needle penetrates the skin and treats underlying muscular trigger points for the management of neuro-musculoskeletal pain and movement impairments.

Acupuncture vs Dry Needling

The needle is the same/similar. acupuncture uses ancient Chinese methodology that aims to redirect energy of the body through meridians (acupressure points). Dry needling works on the principle of reducing inflammation and tension.

Trigger points can be described as areas of tension in the muscle that are ‘over-reacting’ resulting in pain.

Once the needle is inserted at the trigger point the muscle will relax and thus pain is reduced.

Dry needling can also be used to reduce pain around the tendons by triggering an anti-inflammatory response thus stimulating healing around the area of the tendon which may help to improve the structure and strength of collagen fibres.

Laura Hack says: ‘Dual modality treatment (ie chiropractic and dry needling) allows the greatest benefit over time.  These practices are designed to release tension, improve mobility as well as prompt the natural healing response, which can aid optimal health.  It also activates your parasympathetic nervous system which helps you to relax’.

Read more about chiropractic here: https://www.lucksyardclinic.com/services-and-treatments/chiropractic/