Sports Massage Techniques: Medical Acupuncture or Dry Needling in Cambridge
Dry Needling Technique
If you’re looking for medical acupuncture or dry needling in Cambridge, you’ve come to the right place. Dry needling, also known as medical acupuncture, is available here at Relief as an additional service alongside sports massage. We offer a consultation with a sports massage therapist to discuss dry needling in more detail, and you will also be assessed for suitability.
What is dry needling?
A question we are often asked is, what is dry needling? Dry needling is a technique used in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions such as shoulder, knee and back pain. It is used to help relax muscle fibres, reduce pain and inflammation, and support the healing process in injured or overworked muscles.
A very thin needle is used during the medical acupuncture process to penetrate the skin and treat specific muscular trigger points. A trigger point is a tight band in a muscle fibre which can disrupt function and movement and cause pain or tenderness. When the needle is inserted, it can help reduce muscle tightness, increase blood flow and ease pain.
Dry Needling Benefits
One of the most common dry needling benefits is reduced muscular pain and stiffness, and there are other recognised benefits which can include:
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved blood circulation
- Supporting the healing process
- Complementing and enhancing sports massage
When dry needling is used alongside sports massage, less time may be needed to warm the muscle fibres before moving on to other advanced massage techniques. It is worth noting that dry needling benefits can vary depending on a number of factors, including the needs of the individual, the frequency and duration of care, and the underlying cause of the issue. Maintaining flexibility and mobility can also support ongoing muscle health, and our guide explains more about the importance of stretching.
What to expect with dry needling or medical acupuncture
A very fine needle is inserted into specific trigger points in the muscle. The needles are left in place for a short amount of time to allow the muscle to relax and for the effects to take place. Once the needles are removed, the therapist will then use advanced massage techniques to continue treating the condition.
We use medical acupuncture at our clinic to complement and enhance the sports massage you receive. Although dry needling is safe for most people, it may not be suitable or advisable for everyone. For example, people with a needle phobia or haemophilia, or women in their first trimester of pregnancy, may not be suitable for this option. That is why we offer a consultation where you will be fully assessed for suitability.
Book a visit with our Cambridge Sports Massage Therapist
If you are based in or near Cambridge and you’re suffering from a specific painful problem, such as shoulder or knee pain, a sports massage with dry needling may be a great start for you. Why not book a consultation or request a free phone call and get some guidance on what might be best for you.
If it’s relaxation and wellbeing you are after, take a look into our other types of massage therapy available. You can book an appointment online today.
If you have any questions about any of the services we offer, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Learn more about our sports massage costs.