Western Medical Dry Needling at PYONG Rehabilitation

Western medical dry needling, or what some people call western acupuncture, is a highly effective technique for treating chronic muscle pain, carried out by a specialist physician in the field of rehabilitation medicine (Rehabilitation Medicine). It differs from Chinese acupuncture, both in terms of the goal of the treatment, the method of treatment, and the result of the treatment.

What is western dry needling (Dry Needling)?

Dry needling, or western acupuncture, is a form of physiotherapy in which the doctor treats by using a small needle inserted into the layer of muscle at the tender point or the fascia in the layer of muscle (Trigger point, taut band), in order to reduce the tightness of the muscle, help the tight muscle release, and stimulate the body's natural process of relieving pain, with the result that the blood circulates better and the pain is relieved effectively.

How does Dry Needling help treat conditions?

Dry Needling is a method of treatment using the principles of modern medical science in treating pain and problems of the muscles, its principles of therapy being as follows.

The tender point

The tender point is a knot in the layer of muscle (Trigger Point), which causes pain, reduces the angle of movement of the joint, and affects the working of the muscle. The treating physician identifies and assesses the tender point by palpation.

Inserting the needle

The treating physician inserts the needle into the tender point. The doctor assesses the depth and the angle of insertion according to the character of the muscle and the goal of the treatment.

The body's response

Inserting the needle brings about a local twitch in the muscle, which helps release the tightness and reduce the pain. Besides this, the needle also helps stimulate the circulation of blood to feed the area of muscle that is impaired, which makes the repair take place effectively.

What symptoms can Dry Needling treat?

Dry needling is a highly effective method of treatment in relieving pain and restoring the working of the muscles, and it can relieve pain arising from the muscles effectively.

Office syndrome (the group of conditions of chronic muscle pain)

Dry Needling is a good choice for those who work in an office and meet the problem of chronic muscle pain, or office syndrome (Myofascial Pain Syndrome). This method helps release the tightness of the muscles around the neck, the upper back, and the shoulder, arising from sitting and working for long periods, helping you return to working more effectively.

Chronic neck and back pain

For those with the problem of chronic neck and back pain, Dry Needling can help relieve the symptoms effectively, by stimulating the trigger points in the muscles of those areas, helping release the tightness and reduce the pain, so that movement becomes easier.

Headache and migraine

Dry Needling is one of the ways of dealing with migraine, in that Dry Needling can help relieve headache, by stimulating the trigger points around the neck and the head, which are the main cause of migraine arising. Treatment by this method helps reduce the frequency and the severity of migraine headache better.

Tendon inflammation and joint inflammation

For those with the problem of tendon inflammation and joint inflammation, Dry Needling can help reduce the pain and the inflammation, by stimulating the circulation of blood in the area where the inflammation arises, helping the body repair the damaged tissue faster.

Injury of the muscles around the shoulder joint

Injury of the muscles around the shoulder joint arises mostly from the problem of a torn tendon, which causes pain. Western dry needling (Dry Needling) is a form of physiotherapy that helps relieve injury of the muscles around the shoulder joint, by helping release the tightness of the muscle, reduce the pain, and increase the range of movement of the shoulder joint, so that it can be used normally again more quickly.

The difference between western dry needling, or western acupuncture, and Chinese acupuncture

Although both methods of needling use a needle in treatment, there is an important difference. Chinese acupuncture emphasises rebalancing the energy in the body according to the principles of Chinese medicine, inserting the needle at points on the meridians in order to stimulate the flow of energy, while western dry needling (Dry Needling) is the insertion of the needle directly into the knot in the muscle, in order to stimulate its release and relieve the pain, relying on the principles of anatomy and physiology.

The steps of western dry needling

Good preparation before needling helps the treatment be as effective as possible. The following are the important steps in western dry needling.

Preparing beforehand

• Eat as normal before coming for needling, to reduce the risk of fainting
• Rest enough; avoid coming for needling in a state of bodily exhaustion
• Wear comfortable clothing, not too tight, so that the doctor can easily reach the area to be treated
• Tell the doctor immediately if anything feels abnormal during the treatment, such as more pain or a feeling of faintness

Caring for yourself after needling

After needling, the patient may have slight soreness in the area where the needle was inserted, which improves by itself within 1-2 days. You should avoid massaging or pressing the area that was needled, and avoid a warm compress or soaking in warm water, to prevent the soreness increasing. But the pain can be relieved with a cold compress or by taking painkillers as the doctor advises.

The advantages and side effects of western dry needling

• The pain is relieved; the patient will feel the pain improve within a period of 3-7 days after treatment, depending on the individual
• The muscle is less tight; the local twitch in the muscle helps release the tightness of the muscle that is a tight knot, and stimulates the natural process of healing
• The joint moves more; when the tightness of the muscle decreases, the patient can move the joint more

Western dry needling has many advantages, but there may also be certain side effects that should be known. The side effects often met and considered normal include pain, heaviness, or soreness in the area that was needled, which usually goes away. Besides this, there may be bruising or weakness in the area of muscle treated, which is a temporary symptom and can resolve by itself.

Points to be careful of in western dry needling

Although dry needling is a safe method of treatment, there are points to be careful of for some groups of people, as follows.

• Those with a severe fear of needles
• Pregnant women
• Those who bleed easily or have an abnormality of blood clotting
• Patients who have to be treated with surgery
• Those with an underlying condition, such as heart disease, should consult a doctor before receiving treatment

What stands out about treatment with western dry needling

PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic is run by specialist physicians in the field of rehabilitation medicine, from the steps of examination and diagnosis through to treatment. The doctor can consider adjusting the point treated and give medication alongside the treatment as suits the patient. The clinic advises that if you have pain, contact the clinic to make an appointment with a specialist physician to diagnose it and give advice on suitable treatment.

The price of western dry needling at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic

Treatment with western dry needling at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic is done as a course, so that the treatment is continuous and the result clearly seen. The price is counted per session, at 4,800 baht per session. The clinic advises that if you have pain, contact the clinic to make an appointment with a specialist physician to diagnose it and give advice on suitable treatment.

Needling with PYONG Rehab

Western dry needling (Dry Needling) is a highly effective method of treatment in relieving pain and restoring the working of the muscles precisely, particularly for those with problems involving the muscles. This method helps reduce pain quickly and improves the patient's quality of life. However, choosing a team of specialist physicians with expertise is important. If you are looking for treatment with Dry Needling, it is advised to come and consult Dr Kantaphong, or Dr PYONG, at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic, the specialist clinic in rehabilitation medicine ready to advise and care for you closely.