Trigger Point Dry Needling

[Artista]

Frankly, I'd trust a PT more than an acupuncturist to use this technique. It isn't acupuncture anyway, not even close.

I agree with goldfinch. I wouldn't want an acupuncturist to dry needle my trigger points for the same reasons that I wouldn't want my physical therapist to do acupuncture on me.

[Kiwi Stoker]

After not much success with a normal physio I went to a Golf swing/arm specialist physio and he does dry needling.

Because my whole shoulder so extremly frozen and incapible of moving well (and nerve damage) it was extremely painful. It brought tears to my eyes. He was very careful about my screws and plate and swabbed that area with iodine before he put nedles in.

But the results. There was no way that using a pulley, or walking my fingers up the wall was going to restore function in my arm. I was able to get over a few weeks my shoulder moving and my arm (with help) to lift above my shoulder. He also released my elbow which had been badly spained and by being in a sling for 6 weeks, I was unable to striaghten or move.

For the right reasons I think dry needling is worth every bit of pain. Basically my muscles and nerves had forgotten how to function and the needles awakened them again.

[Wahine]

I agree with goldfinch. I wouldn't want an acupuncturist to dry needle my trigger points for the same reasons that I wouldn't want my physical therapist to do acupuncture on me.

Exactly.

Goldfinch, thank you for that as well.

Kiwi Stoker, I'm glad you had such a good experience.

[salsabike]

I should add that when I tried traditional acupuncture for fibromyalgia pain, it was not effective. Interesting stuff.

[GrooverBrisbane]

My massage therapist has treated my very sore neck/shoulder with dry needling a couple of times, always with a great result. She also does cupping. It hurt somewhat but it was rather "good pain", if you know what I mean. Would have it done anytime again but agree, like with anything, you need to have someone skilled and experienced!

[Wahine]

My massage therapist has treated my very sore neck/shoulder with dry needling a couple of times, always with a great result. She also does cupping. It hurt somewhat but it was rather "good pain", if you know what I mean. Would have it done anytime again but agree, like with anything, you need to have someone skilled and experienced!

That's what I love about Australia, if you show that you are competent and appropriately trained you can use many techniques without dealing with the silly turf wars we have here in the US.

[smilingcat]

Hi Wahine,

Bumping this back up. well because... I had "demo/sample" dry needling today. On one muscle it made my muscle twitch number of times. On another muscle, it felt like a sharp pain, not the good kind. It's been nearly twelve hours since my treatment. I'll probably go back and spend $$ to get one complete session to give it a chance.

It's a bummer to have a frozen shoulder. It's been "thawing" for last several month but it just isn't going fast enough for me!!

I think any non-drug approach to pain management and dealing with sore muscle would be a preferred way. No brainer I think.

And yes please fight for your "right" to be able to do dry needling!! There are not enough Doctors/PT and others to adequately meet the needs of people. Why keep it to select few to practice something that isn't drug related!!

thanks

[Pip]

Dry needling is often the only thing which will help me when I have an injury. Most recently my shoulder seized up (no particular reason - it just decided to stop working), and after a couple of months of osteo and physio treatment the physio pulled out the needs. Within a couple of sessions I was almost back to normal. That after weeks of making no progress on the bunch of knotted muscles that was my shoulder.