Dry Needling and Cupping in Bellevue

What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a specific treatment technique that uses a solid filament needle to treat muscle trigger points that are creating pain and discomfort. A muscle trigger point is a highly localized, hyper-irritable spot in a palpable, taut band of skeletal muscle fibers. These muscle trigger points, which are located throughout the human body, play a role in producing and sustaining feelings of pain and discomfort. Trigger points develop in muscle for various reasons including referred or local pain, inflammation, tissue injury, or other causes. Studies from the United States have shown that trigger points were the primary source of pain in as many as 85% of pain-related appointments with a primary care doctor.

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DRY NEEDLING VS. ACUPUNCTURE

While Dry Needling uses the same tool as acupuncture, it is with a different theoretical purpose. Dry Needling is based on traditional, studied and tested practices of Western Medicine to restore normal muscle function. Traditional acupuncture is based on normalizing the energy imbalance, or Chi, in the body to cure syndromes.

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WHAT CONDITIONS CAN BE TREATED?

Examples of conditions that can be treated successfully with dry needling include:

• Back and neck pain, including postural problems and tension
• Arm pain (shoulder impingements, tennis or golfer’s elbow)
• Headaches
• Leg pain (including sciatic pain)
• Hamstring strains
• Knee pain
• Calf tightness or cramps

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This treatment allows…

• Muscle contracture to release
• Improved circulation
• Reduced swelling
• Dispersement of chemical buildup

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Is dry needling safe?

The treatment utilizes sterile, thin monofilament needles. The relief is often rapid with a reduction in pain and improved function.

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