Dry needling

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Dry Needling

Dry needling (pronounced: /draɪ 'niːdlɪŋ/), also known as intramuscular stimulation (IMS), is a technique used by physical therapists to treat pain and movement impairments. The term "dry" refers to the fact that the technique does not use medication or injection, and "needling" refers to the insertion of a needle without the use of an anesthetic or medication.

Etymology

The term "dry needling" was first used in the 1940s by Janet G. Travell, M.D., who discovered that the insertion of small needles into myofascial trigger points could effectively relieve pain. The term "dry" was used to differentiate this technique from the "wet needling" techniques that involve the injection of substances.

Procedure

Dry needling involves the insertion of a thin filiform needle to stimulate the healing process of soft tissues, resulting in pain relief and restoration of healthy physiology. The needle is inserted into areas of the muscle known as myofascial trigger points, which are tight bands of muscle fibers.

Related Terms

  • Myofascial trigger points: These are tight knots of muscle fibers that can be felt under the skin. They are painful on compression and can produce referred pain, referred tenderness, motor dysfunction, and autonomic phenomena.
  • Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS): This is a total system for the diagnosis and treatment of myofascial pain syndromes (chronic pain conditions that occur in the musculoskeletal system when there is no obvious sign of injury or inflammation).
  • Physical Therapy: This is a healthcare profession that assesses, diagnoses, treats, and works to prevent disease and disability through physical means.

See Also

External links

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