Dry needling for dogs is a treatment where very fine needles (acupuncture needles) are inserted into tissues, in order to stimulate a healing effect. Depending on the specific points chosen and the technique used, its proposed effects are:
- relax muscle spasms and myofascial trigger points (knots in the muscle) to improve function
- assist with pain relief
- reduce inflammation
- improve local immune/healing responses
Dry needling is not the same as acupuncture, although there are similarities between the two techniques. The main difference is the theory behind why the techniques work. Dry needling is primarily focused on the reduction of pain and restoration of function through the release of myofascial trigger points in muscle tissues. Whereas acupuncture is defined as the stimulation of specific acupuncture points along the skin of the body corresponding with 12 energy channels (meridians) on the body. Acupuncture focuses primarily on the treatment of medical conditions by restoring the flow of energy through these key points in the body to restore balance.
At The Dog Osteopath, Rachel provides dry needling for dogs as part of osteopathic treatment.