Clinicians within Physiosouth offer traditional Chinese based acupuncture and/or dry needling for musculoskeletal conditions as a primary or complementary physiotherapy treatment within the patient’s overall journey of care.
What is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?
Both dry needling and acupuncture involve the insertion of thin needles into certain parts of the body, but the similarities stop there. During an 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 the proper flow of energy throughout the body.
During acupuncture, 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. There is evidence that Acupuncture can stimulate the release of the body’s natural painkillers (Endorphins, Encephalins, Dopamine, etc). The new NICE guidelines UK (April 2021) state that acupuncture is now recommended for patients with chronic pain.
Dry needle treatment is a relatively new treatment based on modern Western medicine. This treatment was developed in the 1980s, and during treatment, needles are inserted into trigger points/ neuromuscular junctions, or tender bands of muscle located within larger muscles.
When needles are inserted into neuromuscular junctions, they elicit a response that ‘resets’ the resting length of the local muscle, assisting in restoring normal function.
We have physiotherapists who practice traditional Chinese-based acupuncture, dry needling, or both.
For either type of treatment, additional screening is required which consists of a written consent form to rule out contra-indications.
The number of treatment sessions required will vary depending on the individual’s response.
For information on which clinics offer acupuncture and/or dry needling, then please get in touch by calling 03 337 4832 or emailing pegasus@physiosouth.co.nz
If you are unsure whether acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for you, please read and fill out the consent form and one of our practitioners will be in touch by phone and request specific information as required.
To book an appointment with one of our clinicians, please click here or call 0508 4 PHYSIO.
