Many people struggle with a plethora of physical ailments, and some of these conditions can be relieved using thin, stainless steel needles. This is called dry needling, a modern form of therapy that’s similar to acupuncture.

While both practices use needles to treat pain, dry needling is an industry-established practice with years of scientific research backing it. Instead of hyper-focusing on the person’s energy flow or “chi” used in acupuncture, dry needling relieves muscle strain and provides pain relief by stimulating trigger points all over the body.

Looking Back into the Origins of Dry Needling

Dry needling is all about targeting “trigger points,” a term that was used by Dr. Janet Travell back in the 1940s when she discovered that certain nerves and neural hyperactivity were linked to pain in tender parts of the muscle and fascia.

These irritable spots often cause discomfort, which is why Dr. Travell and fellow physician Dr. David Simons tested treating these tender areas by injecting substances such as corticosteroids, analgesics, or saline.

Why “Dry” Needling?

Seeing how the process originally used liquid substances to treat the hyperirritable spots, it’s a wonder why the procedure itself would be coined as “dry” needling. However, after Dr. Travell’s initial discovery back in the 1940s, a study done by a Czech physician named Dr. Karel Lewit found that the needling effect is what made the treatments effective, much more so than the substances that were injected into the muscles.

Further research proved that dry needling is more non-invasive and effective than “wet” needling, though it was only in 1976 when the procedure became a recognized practice in the healthcare industry.

It was Dr. Chan Gunn who created a new system, wherein it strives to treat a myriad of conditions that are symptomatic, segmental, or at a systemic level.

Acupuncture vs. Dry Needling

Dry needling is a modern method, though it takes its inspiration from ancient Chinese Medicine. The latter focuses on facilitating the energy flow of the body to boost your overall wellness, but dry needling takes on a more realistic approach by studying the muscles and trigger points to ease inflammation and relieve pain.

Continuing to Evolve

Dry needling is becoming widely available, after having been universally recognized and accepted, but it’s a method that continues to evolve as healthcare professionals discover new techniques and treatment concepts to improve it.

From its discovery in the 1940s and now, dry needling has seen new generations. This year welcomes its fourth generation, where physicians can now integrate dry needling with other modalities to create a multi-modal treatment plan.

Hiring the Right Dry Needling Practitioner in Jacksonville, FL

Going to the right physician is crucial in any situation, but its importance cannot be overstated when it involves treatments like dry needling for neck pain, headaches, or frozen shoulders.

If you’re looking for a reliable solution, we offer dry needling services that are tailored to your needs, so don’t hesitate to give us a call at Dry Needle Pain Relief if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to soothe your sciatica.