I have been practicing Western Acupuncture (also known as Dry Needling, they are the same) for over a year now and with some great results and positive feedback and I feel it has nicely complimented the Sports Massage and Myofascial release treatments. I certainly don’t use it in every treatment, but it is a very beneficial and productive treatment option to have.
Firstly I always explain the difference between Western Acupuncture and traditional Chinese Acupuncture as whilst they both include the insertion of fine needles often the aim of treatment is completely different. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses Acupuncture and involves inserting the fine needles into specific points on the body, to stimulate the flow of chi (energy) through the body, whereas Western Acupuncture follows the Western medical approach to musculoskeletal pain, restrictions and tension to treat the relevant problematic soft tissue or joint.
The goal of Western Acupuncture is a reduction in musculoskeletal and fascial pain and improvement of function.
Why use Acupuncture?
What actually happens when we insert a needle?
What are the BENEFITS?
This explanation has a few medical terms but I wanted to give you a view of what is happening when we choose to use Western Acupuncture:
Enhances the blood flow and hence the oxygen saturation where the needle is inserted, so this increases local blood flow and decreases the concentration of sensitising hormones (our hormones are chemical messengers which coordinate different responses in our body). So the BENEFIT - this helps the inflammatory process and is great for injury recovery, enhancing the natural healing process and is beneficial for pain reduction and increasing mobility.
The stimulation of the painful area by the needles evokes a positive calming response from the relevant anatomical vertebral segment, so acupuncture in an area can have a positive effect on another area that is innervated by the same vertebral segment (in between each vertebrae, from the spinal cord nerves exit which provide sensory and motor control to all of the body). An example of this is treating the lower shoulder rotator cuff muscle (infraspinatus) to address a painful superior rotator cuff muscle the supraspinatus. So, the BENEFIT - acupuncture has a calming effect and de-sensitising effect on painful areas (including trigger points).
The acupuncture needles provide a non-threatening/positive sensory input which can stimulate an increase in our body’s naturally occurring opioids (these are our endorphins and enkephalins primarily produced by the brain (hypothalamus and pituitary gland). So the BENEFIT - this can decrease our pain pressure threshold giving us a better ability to move. Reduces the reflex activity in muscles - so enhances muscle relaxation
With the needles inserted for a a few minutes, the needles can be rotated and or pulled gently up/down and this stimulates our fibroblasts to remodel. Fibroblasts are the key cell of our fascia (connective tissues) and play a critical role in wound/injury healing. So….. the BENEFIT increasing fibroblasts activity aids our fascial healing.
Lastly, they are safe to use, no need to rest post treatment and very limited side effects.
If you have any questions on Western Acupuncture or particularly interested in receiving it as part of a treatment, please get in touch.
nicky@nickysportsmassage.co.uk
May '25