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Dry Needling & Medical Acupunture 

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What  is Dry Needling & Medical Acupuncture?

 

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What conditions can it aid?
 

  • In the context of Sports Massage Therapy, Dry Needling and Medical Acupuncture are advanced techniques that complement manual therapy to treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. While both involve the insertion of fine needles into the body, they differ in philosophy, technique, and application.

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  • Dry needling is a Western medicine-based technique where fine needles are inserted into myofascial trigger points, which are hyperirritable spots in the muscle associated with tight bands or knots. Used to release tight muscles,reduce pain and improve mobility.

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  • Medical acupuncture is the use of acupuncture by a trained medical practitioner who integrates traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principles with Western biomedical knowledge. To Treat pain, musculoskeletal disorders, stress, and other conditions.

Muscle Pain & Trigger Points​

  • Myofascial pain syndrome (chronic muscle pain with trigger points)

  • Muscle tightness or spasms

  • Post-exercise muscle soreness (DOMS)

  • Chronic tension (e.g. in neck, shoulders, calves)

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Joint & Soft Tissue Pain​

  • Shoulder impingement or rotator cuff issues

  • Hip and groin pain

  • Knee pain (e.g. runner’s knee, IT band syndrome)

  • Plantar fasciitis

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Nerve-Related Issues​​

  • Peripheral nerve entrapments (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome)

  • Radiculopathy (pain radiating from spine due to nerve compression)

  • Muscle weakness or inhibition due to nerve dysfunction

What are the FAQ'S
 

Is it painful?

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  • You may feel a brief muscle twitch or mild cramping sensation during dry needling. Acupuncture is typically more gentle. Any discomfort is usually brief, and many athletes report feeling looser and more relaxed afterward.

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How many sessions will I need?

  • For acute muscle tightness or minor sports injuries, many clients feel noticeable improvement after just 1–2 sessions.

  • For chronic pain, long-standing injuries, or recurrent dysfunction, a short treatment plan of 4–6 sessions may be recommended—often combined with sports massage or corrective exercises..​

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Who should avoid dry needling or acupuncture?​

  • People with bleeding disorders or who take blood thinners

  • Individuals with needle phobia

  • Pregnant clients (certain points avoided; practitioner discretion advised)

  • People with skin infections or open wounds near the treatment site

  • Those with compromised immune systems (depending on condition)

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