Min-Toe Podiatry uses both Western Medical Acupuncture techniques and dry needling as part of our holistic approach to lower limb and foot conditions.
These techniques involve the insertion of fine sterile needles into carefully selected sites on the body for pain and relief.
Whilst The terms acupuncture and dry needling are used interchangeably, there is a distant difference between the two treatment modalities. Acupuncture is part of a Traditional Chinese Medicine and is based on a network of channels (or meridans) that have been mapped out over several thousands of years. Fine needles are used to stimulate specific points along these meridans, Western Medical Acupuncture utilises methods from the broader Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Dry needling, involves the insertion of fine needling into trigger points (knots within muslces) and fibrous bands with muscles. The presence of a trigger point within a muscle inhibits the muscle's ability to function optimally. This can cause referred pain to surrounding tissues or the overloading of other muscles, tendons or joints. The response to dry needling is the relaxing, or releasing, of these trigger points and fibrous bands. Relief is often noted immediately following treatment.
