Any questions you have? Please call 404-355-1662 Atlanta or 470-827-7065 Sandy Springs,
What is differences between Acupuncture and Dry Needling?
The question I am asked more than any other is what is the difference between acupuncture and dry needling.
Most people think of acupuncture as inserting acupuncture needles in areas of pain or areas that influence the pathway that relates to the pain.
There is so much more that we can do with acupuncture. Outside of pain, I treat nervous system disorders like neurasthenia/ anxiety/ stress the most, but acupuncture is also incredibly effective in treating so much more. When treating internal medicine conditions like fatigue, IBS, or high blood pressure the needles are often placed in acupoints that are located in the periphery of the body. Arms and legs contain many acupoints that stimulate the nervous system and organs of our body. Once the needles are in I like to have patients relax with the needles for about 20 minutes. It takes about that long for the needles to work their magic and take effect on the body. I find this time critical for the body as acupuncture calms the nervous system, loosens our muscles, and gives a nice dopamine release. It also gives us a moment to put our minds into a meditative state and reset from our often chaotic lives.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, acupuncture is a great fix.
When I’m using acupuncture on my patients it can be for a wide range of goals. When I’m performing dry needling it is specifically to treat pain and tension.
First, I would like to be clear that dry needling is an acupuncture technique. When I was trained in dry needling it was taught to me as Ashi acupuncture and some will call it orthopedic acupuncture. I was trained in this and many other acupuncture techniques years ago in my post-graduate studies. There are so many acupuncture techniques in the world and dry needling is only one of them.
Technically speaking dry needling is a technique that uses an acupuncture needle to create a trigger point response, but the technique is profoundly different from what most patients consider acupuncture. It’s a very hands-on process. We look for trigger points where you are experiencing pain and sometimes in areas that influence or exacerbate the pain.
We insert the needle and with this technique, you will feel a muscle twitch response or fasciculation. I don’t find it painful, but it is a very strange sensation and most people take a couple of visits to get used to it. It does sometimes feel like e-stim acupuncture or a tens unit, but it is much more specific and overall more powerful to treat pain conditions. The muscle twitch releases the tension at the moment and helps the muscle to rehabilitate from the tension and/or trauma that it has experienced. The number of visits varies based on many different factors. Typically, I expect at least a month of weekly visits to get a decent response, especially for those in chronic pain. But for most of us, it’s an ongoing effort to keep our bodies healthy. It’s also important to realize that if you have been experiencing pain for over a year it’s going to take effort and patience to reverse the cycle.
I’ve used dry needling over the years to treat pain all over the body as it is incredibly effective and works well in conjunction with acupuncture and cupping.
Keep an eye out for my next blog on dry needling next month!
Michael Sakowich
How do you know when you’re ready for counseling?
Are you considering counseling for yourself or someone else? It can be daunting to seek help, but seeing a professional and working through your emotions can be one of the most life-changing experiences. Unlike talking with friends or family, counseling sessions with Rolene at Art Of Healing give you complete anonymity and room to explore complex topics without judgment. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, or other emotional issues, counseling may be proper. Let us help guide you in the right direction toward a healthier lifestyle!
5. What should I expect during an acupuncture session?
For thousands of years, acupuncture at Art Of Healing has been used to bring balance and relaxation through its gentle physical manipulation of the body’s energies. As a non-invasive method to promote healing, acupuncture is becoming an increasingly popular choice for those seeking a holistic approach to achieving health and well-being. But what should you expect when attending an acupuncture session? In this blog post, we will explore the different aspects of the treatment process so you can feel confident about your upcoming appointment – from preparing for it to feeling the effects afterward.
During the session
• Acupuncture is a relaxing session that helps to balance chi energy.
• Needles are inserted and help to harmonize organs for overall wellness and well-being.
Acupuncture hurts?
- Needle insertion. Acupuncture needles are inserted into various depths at strategic points on your body. The needles are very thin, so insertion usually causes little discomfort, most times no pain. People often don’t feel them inserted at all. The typical treatment uses 5 to 20 needles, depends the practitioner can use more. You may feel a mild aching sensation when a needle reaches the correct depth.
- Needle manipulation. Your practitioner may gently move or twirl the needles after placement or apply heat or mild electrical pulses to the needles.
- Needle removal. In most cases, the needles with Electric Stimulation and Infrared Heat Lamp, remain in place for 10 to 15 minutes while you lie and relax. There is usually no discomfort when the needles are removed.
What is Homeopathy and benefits?
Homeopathy have no know harmful side effect, may be used by everyone including pets, adn can be administered for both acute and chronic conditons.
Homeopathis are made from small amounts of plant, animal, and mineral substances prepared by a process whereby a minute amount of substance is hightly diluted and succussed. Although they are found in similar minuscule amounts, they are believed to have very powerful effects.
People are returning to homeopathy they understand that in order to achieve healthm one must discover the root cause of disease and not just treat the symptoms, Many understand that pharmaceutical drugs often interfere with the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Suppressing, or merely removing symptoms. is atemproary solution. Addressing the whole person naturally is the long-term solution to modern staes of disease. We believe this is the role of homeopathy.
Follow Us