Acupuncture and Dry Needling

Dry Needling Richmond

At Richmond Bodywork I also offer Acupuncture, Acupuncture with Moxibustion as well as Dry Needling. 

Here you can find useful information regarding these type of treatments.

Please get in touch if you have any questions.

Dry Needling

Dry Needling RichmondDry needling is most often performed by physical therapists and is used to treat pain by stimulating trigger points.

It is a safe and natural way to relieve pain, improve motion, and restore function. It helps to treat many conditions.  Dry needling is rarely a standalone procedure, it is part of a physical therapy approach which incorporates other forms and techniques of physical therapy treatment, such as manual therapy and corrective exercises.

Dry needling works by using thin, monofilament needles varying in length (from 25 to 75 millimetres) that are inserted through the skin and directly into muscle tissue trigger points. These points are muscle fibres that are “stuck” in a contraction and can’t be released through movement or massage. When the needle hits a trigger point, it creates what’s called a twitch response as the muscle releases, and that can feel like a tiny balloon popping inside your muscle.

The benefit of that twitch response goes beyond the immediate relief as the muscle releases. That’s because trigger points can have a detrimental effect on mobility and muscle health if they aren’t resolved.

Conditions commonly treated by Dry Needling:

  • Back Pain: including lumbar degenerative disk disease, arthritic changes, and herniated discs
  • Neck Pain: whiplash, headaches, degenerative joint disease, degenerative disk disease or osteoarthritis
  • Dental (Teeth) and Orthodontic (Jaw and Occlusal) Pain: including temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
  • Shoulder Pain: including rotator cuff muscle tears, bursitis, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), tendonitis and impingement syndrome
  • Elbow Pain: including lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow)
  • Hand and Wrist Pain: including gamekeeper’s thumb, DeQuervain’s syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative joint disease, and osteoarthritis
  • Hip Pain: including degenerative joint disease, and osteoarthritis
  • Knee Pain: including degenerative changes or osteoarthritis
  • Shin/Ankle/Foot Pain: including shin splints, metatarsalgia and Morton’s Neuroma
  • Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)
  • Acute and Chronic Tendonitis
  • Post- Surgical Pain
  • Athletic and Sports-related Overuse Injuries
  • Post-Traumatic Injuries, Car Accidents, Work-related Injuries
  • Other Chronic Pain Conditions: including myofascial pain and myofascial pain syndrome (MPS)

Acupuncture

Acupuncture (“zhen”) is based on the proper insertion and manipulation of needles of various gauges and lengths into the skin at specific acupoints. Acupuncture can be traced back to the Stone Age in ancient China, when people used pointed stone implements and pressure to alleviate illness. With the advancement of technology, the stone-needle was replaced with bamboo, and later, metals.

TreatmentAcupunctureAcupuncture

The needles are inserted into specific places on the body, which practitioners call acupuncture points.

During the session, you’ll usually be asked to sit or lie down. You may also be asked to remove some clothes so the practitioner can access certain parts of your body.Acupuncture

The needles used are very fine and are usually a few centimetres long. They should be single-use, pre-sterilised needles that are disposed of immediately after use.

Acupuncture practitioners choose specific points to place the needles based on your condition. Several points may be used during a typical session, depending on the number of symptoms you have.

The needles may be inserted just under the skin, or deeper so they reach muscle. Once the needles are in place, they may be left in position for a length of time lasting from a few minutes up to around 30 minutes.

You may feel a tingling or a dull ache when the needles are inserted but you should not experience any significant pain. If you do, let your practitioner know straight away.

Acupuncture treatments can assist with:

  • Arthritis
  • Fertility (Female & Male Fertility)
  • IVF Assistance
  • Menstrual Problems
  • Menopause Symptoms
  • Mental/Emotional Disorders
  • Post Natal/Partum Depression
  • Migraines and Headaches
  • Pain relief
  • Well-Being

MoxibustionMoxibustion Treatment

Acu-moxa therapy (“zhen jiu”) is a general term covering several techniques designed to stimulate acupoints located on the body along the circulation tracts or conduits. These practices either alleviate local symptoms, affect orbs’ functions, or treat the underlying imbalance causing the symptoms. Although TCM involves many other techniques, acupuncture and moxibustion are the most popular.

Moxibustion is a form of therapy that entails the burning of mugwort leaves. This is a small, spongy herb that is believed to enhance healing with acupuncture. As such, the leaves are burnt close to the skin’s surface using a stick to apply heat.‌The practice is derived from Chinese medicine. Its purpose is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of Qi or energy, and maintain good health. ‌According to Chinese medicine, an increase in the circulation of Qi can help your body deal with a broad range of issues, including digestive problems and chronic pain.