Dry Needling – IDN (Integrated Dry Needling)

Dry needling, also known as Integrated Dry Needling (IDN) is a painless and effective treatment for myofascial pain – a chronic pain condition that affects thousands of Canadians.

Myofascial pain is a musculoskeletal condition which causes serious pain, but leaves no physical signs of damage or injury. Caused by the shortening or contracting of muscle tissue the condition is recognized as one of the most difficult to diagnose and can cause serious long term pain to sufferers.

The Difference Between Dry Needling and Acupuncture

Dry needling is, in some ways, similar to acupuncture. Both use needles to stimulate your nervous system, but dry needling is rooted in accepted science rather than traditional medicine.

There are some key differences between the two:

• IDN requires a medical examination and a myofascial pain diagnosis from a certified practitioner
• Needling is performed based on specific symptoms and targets only the affected area
• IDN typically works immediately or almost immediately.

Dry needling works by stimulating the shortened muscles that cause myofascial pain. A long, thin needle is inserted into the muscle, producing a reflex relaxation (lengthening). This process also causes a small injury to the muscle which stimulates the natural healing process, and creates a bio-electrical reaction which make the nerve function normally again.

The combination of lengthening the muscle, triggering the body’s healing response, and stimulating the nervous system causes the muscle to relax and lengthen. This relieves pressure on your nerves and can cause your myofascial pain to subside.

A Safe, Pain-Free Procedure

Although the process may sound invasive or even painful it isn’t. Most patients report feeling, at worst, some pressure. Occasionally stimulating a particularly tight muscle may cause some cramping but this is a natural part of the process. Dry Needling is completely safe, all needles are used only once and disposed of and the procedure takes place in a sterile environment under the supervision of professionals.

Dry needling is covered by most health insurance plans. It requires a diagnosis through a brief physical examination by a practitioner trained to recognize neuropathic pain. Because the condition is neurological and not structural it cannot be detected with X-rays, MRIs, or other traditional tests.

If you are one of the thousands of Canadians suffering from myofascial pain syndrome, then dry needling may be the solution that you have been looking for.