ACUPUNCTURE FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT
Have you tried acupuncture for pain management? Pain can be due to a sedentary lifestyle (prolonged sitting), ergonomics in the workplace or at home, exercise, cramps (dysmenorrhea), injury, joint dysfunction, degeneration, nerve entrapment or misalignment. Back pain is especially common. 4 in 5 adults will experience back pain, and 5 in 10 Canadians have experienced back pain in the last 6 months alone.
Acupuncture and dry needling can be used to control or reduce pain and help you return to your normal activities as soon as possible. The technique involves the insertion of thin needles at specific points along meridians and at trigger points. Trigger points are ‘tight bands’ found in muscles that can disrupt range of motion, affect muscle function and cause local/referred pain.
The insertion of acupuncture needles at trigger points is often referred to as “dry needling” whereas needles inserted along meridians is often referred to as “acupuncture”. However, these two terms are commonly used interchangeably.
Acupuncture aims to improve circulation to the tissue, resolve myofascial dysfunction, promote tissue recovery, relax tension and reduce pain.
At a technical level the acupuncture needle alters connective tissue and the structure of the fibrobalsts. ATP is released which gets broken down into adenosine and other purines. ATP and adenosine act as anti-nociception agents, acting to block pain through purinergic receptors. The tactile stimulation of the afferent nerve fibres during acupuncture can have effects on the brain’s limbic system and activate neural activities which can affect pain regulation. The release of endogenous opioids and dopamine also create an analgesic effect.
Acupuncture can be a great addition to other therapies such as physiotherapy, chiropractic care, exercise, massage therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, yoga and conventional therapies to help manage pain and muscle tension.
Curious about acupuncture and dry needling? Send me an email or book your free 15-Minute Meet & Greet Session and let’s chat!
