Dry Needling
Whilst Dry Needling uses the same type of needles and similar techniques (as witnessed by the inexperienced eye) as used in Acupuncture, it is not to be confused with the latter. Dry Needling is based - primarily - on the work of three western trained physicians:
The above pioneers provide the framework for the style of Dry Needling that Audrey Burking uses in conjunction with her Physiotherapy. Audrey uses her knowledge of Anatomy to locate tight and painful MTPs in the muscles and myofascia and then uses Dry Needling techniques to deactivate them; thus providing pain relief for a wide range of musculo-skeletal conditions, such as:
Audrey is an accredited Dry Needle Therapist.
Whilst Dry Needling uses the same type of needles and similar techniques (as witnessed by the inexperienced eye) as used in Acupuncture, it is not to be confused with the latter. Dry Needling is based - primarily - on the work of three western trained physicians:
- Dr Janet Travell (an American Musculoskeletal Physician). She mapped out a series of Myofascial Trigger Points (MTPs) in every muscle of the body. These MTPs become active whenever there is trauma or damage to the muscle and associated myofascia (Muscle cover). Janet needled directly into these MTPs; often using a saline solution.
- Dr Chan Gunn - who originally coined the term Dry Needling in 1977 - wanted to differentiate his style of treatment from that of the Traditional Acupuncture. His selection of points to needle was based upon the nerve pathway model. He needled into the MTPs of the muscles along the length (and to the side) of the spine and along the nerve pathways. He also used injection therapy. His theory was based upon nerve entrapment at the source (ie where thee nerve comes out of the spinal column).
- Dr Baldry recommended the use of both MTPs and traditional Acupuncture points in his treatment protocols and, because of his concerns about puncturing the lungs, also recommend shallow dry needling (Travell and Gunn tended to use deep needling techniques).
The above pioneers provide the framework for the style of Dry Needling that Audrey Burking uses in conjunction with her Physiotherapy. Audrey uses her knowledge of Anatomy to locate tight and painful MTPs in the muscles and myofascia and then uses Dry Needling techniques to deactivate them; thus providing pain relief for a wide range of musculo-skeletal conditions, such as:
- sciatic pain
- headaches
- rotator cuff syndrome
- sports injuries
- post operative pain (joints and tendons)
- neck and back pain
- etc.
Audrey is an accredited Dry Needle Therapist.