Alleviate Pain, Increase Movement, Improve Function and Boost Your Mood with Our Dry Needling and Medical Acupuncture Therapies
Dr. Derek Maul and the team at Charlotte Chiropractic and Rehab utilizes medical acupuncture in conjunction with dry needling and today’s most advanced research to help heal and maintain the health of our patients. Through education, empowerment and teamwork, chiropractic care, dry needling and acupuncture will provide you with the tools to begin to heal your body.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry Needling in Charlotte, NC: One of the most beneficial therapies is the use of solid filament needles inserted through the skin and into the muscle to release painful tight muscle bands and trigger points. Dry needling allows deeper soft tissue release than massage or other manual therapies. The most common effects patients notice is decrease in pain and increase in movement.
Dry needling is safe and works quickly-in as little as 1 or 2 visits. Once the tissue has been restored to its original state, stretching, strengthening and foam rolling can prevent the condition from returning.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture in Charlotte, NC: Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine involving the insertion of tiny, solid acupuncture needles into the superficial layer of the skin at specific points on the body to achieve a therapeutic effect. Their design allows acupuncture needles to slide smoothly through tissues and makes them unlikely to cause bleeding or much pain.
Acupuncture is used to encourage natural healing, improve mood and energy, reduce or relieve pain and improve function of affected areas of the body. It is safe, effective and is often successfully used as an alternative to medications.
Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture Therapy
Both acupuncture and dry needling involve the insertion of thin needles into areas of the body to produce desirable results.
During acupuncture therapy, the 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 used to balance and restore the proper flow of energy throughout the body. During an acupuncture session, the 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 needle treatment is a relatively new treatment based on modern Western medicine. This treatment was developed in the 1980s. During treatment, needles are inserted into trigger points or tender bands of muscle located within larger muscles. When needles are inserted into these trigger points, the desired result is to release trigger points and to restore normal function.
Acupuncture provides pain relief for muscles through the release of the “feel good” endorphins and by creating balance in the energy levels of the body. It also has anti-inflammatory effects on the muscular tissue. On the other hand, dry needling involves pain relief by the de-activation of the trigger points of the muscle cells. Thus, it eliminates the nociceptive focus of the muscle. It also promotes collagen and protein formulation of the local muscles.
Which Therapy is Right for You?
Often, the doctors at Charlotte Chiropractic and Rehab in Ballantyne, NC will utilize both therapies dependent upon the unique condition of each patient. The only way to determine which therapy is right for you is to have our medical professionals perform a consultation and exam. We may recommend additional therapies to supplement medical acupuncture or dry needling which may include cold laser therapy, instrument assisted soft tissue manipulation, chiropractic adjustments or massage therapy.