Dry Needling

While dry needling shares some of the elements of acupuncture, it is a distinct treatment that offers measurable results.
Stratford Acupuncture & Nutritional Wellness Center welcomes patients for Dry Needling in these towns and surrounding areas: Shelton, Bridgeport, Trumbull, Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Monroe, Fairfield, Milford, and Orange. If you’d like to learn more, contact Stratford Acupuncture & Nutritional Wellness Center to schedule an appointment. You can book your visit by phone or online

What’s the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?
Both treatments use a set of thin, flexible, sterile treatment needles. However, the placement and purpose of those needles differ between the two approaches.
Acupuncture seeks to correct or alter the flow of essential life energy, or qi, throughout established meridians in your body. It’s an approach based on traditional Chinese medicine with a long history of effectiveness.
Dry needling, on the other hand, uses treatment needles to stimulate nerves and other tissues to promote healing in the targeted areas. Dry needling relies on evidence-based guidelines established through Western medicine.
What issues can dry needling address?
One of the most effective uses of dry needling is to release trigger points, which are areas of tightly bound muscle fibers that can cause significant pain. The treatment needles stimulate your muscle and connective tissues, causing changes that relax trigger points and bring relief.
Dry needling can also improve other conditions, including:● Muscle spasm.● Tight muscles.● Muscle pain.● Limited range of joint motion.
Dry needling stimulates your peripheral nervous system and increases blood flow in the treatment areas, which can relieve pain and improve many muscle-related symptoms.
What happens during dry needling sessions?
Several different techniques are used in dry needling. After determining the source of your symptoms, Joe will create a treatment plan aligned with your specific needs.
One technique is similar to acupuncture in that treatment needles are positioned and then left in place for 10-30 minutes. Another technique uses rapid in-and-out needle movements to stimulate tissue.
For some, dry needling is a relaxing experience. Others report discomfort during the procedure, followed by a deep sense of relief immediately afterward. Possible side effects include bruising at the treatment site, minor bleeding, and temporary soreness. An ice pack can soothe any lingering discomfort after your session.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of treatments required depends on your area of concern, your overall health, and how your body responds to treatment. Stratford Acupuncture & Nutritional Wellness Center offers many other treatments that can boost your overall health and wellness, including Chinese medicine, nutritional supplements, and a wide range of Chinese movement therapies.
Your treatment plan can be adjusted to suit your specific needs. Just communicate with Joe about how your sessions feel and how your body responds afterward. Individualized care plans are a cornerstone of Stratford Acupuncture and part of why so many people wouldn’t consider entrusting their care to any other practitioner.