Whether it is Dry Needling or Acupuncture techniques, both are utilized to reduce pain, improve neuromuscular firing patterns, improve circulation and enhance the patient’s wellbeing. I have been taught Dry Needling techniques both in the United States of America and in China.
Seven years’ experience on the Medical Team of the NHL Florida Panthers demanding schedule required providing exceptional acupuncture techniques and treatments, these prime athletes needed to be game ready. One of the therapies that many of these athletes would commonly receive was dry needling. A good majority of the NHL athletes were from Canada, and the medical system there is very familiar with dry needling. It was during this time that dry needling techniques were used with great success.
I was the sole Acupuncture Physician for the Blackzilians, a UFC Fight Team that not only was needing acupuncture and Chinese medicine for injury prevention, but overall wellness, stress relief and other conditions relative to high intensity stress and performance. Some fighters required quick turn arounds from injuries in order to keep competing. Dry needling techniques were used with these fighters and regular patients alike. Both seeking relief of pain, dysfunction, immobility, muscle tightness, Impeded circulation due to scar dysfunction and enhanced wellness. While regular acupuncture techniques provide a blend of ancient theory and application, the modern advances in trigger point theory with the understanding of the musculoskeletal and nervous system with the western medicine mindset provide for the best of both worlds.