Dry Needling / Acupuncture

During a dry needling appointment the doctor inserts sterile needles into your skin, (typically deeper than traditional acupuncture therapy), these are fine, short, stainless-steel needles that don’t inject fluid into the body. That’s why the term “dry” is used.

Practitioners place the needles in “trigger points” in your muscle or tissue. Dry needling is also sometimes called intramuscular stimulation. The points are areas of knotted or hard muscle. Dry needling helps release the knot and relieve any muscle pain or spasms the patient is experiencing. The needles will remain in your skin for a short period of time and typically heat is applied to the area being treated. A few dry needling appointments may be added to your treatment plan at Lakeside for increased tissue healing and blood flow to a specific area. When needles are placed deep into tissues, they turn off pain fibers and trigger points. Needling can also reduce the symptoms of some arthritic pain in the body as well.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body. A key component of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain. Increasingly, it is being used for overall wellness, including stress management.

Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force — known as chi or qi (chee) — believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance.

Ask your Lakeside provider about these treatment options or contact us for any questions you may have about these amazing treatment option. Insurance may cover your needling treatments as well. Ask us about a complimentary insurance verification for new patients today!