Orthopedic Acupuncture
What is Orthopedic Acupuncture?
Orthopedic Acupuncture is a comprehensive style of acupuncture which blends modern science and anatomy with the techniques and methods of classical acupuncture. In practice, we place emphasis on analyzing the integrity and mechanics of the joints and connective tissues, functional range of motion and related neuromuscular activity, as well as special orthopaedic testing. Electro-Stimulation and unique orthopedic points are used alongside traditional acupuncture points to create a highly targeted and effective treatment approach.
Special techniques are often used which are unique to orthopedic acupuncture such as Motor Point Acupuncture and Trigger Point Acupuncture (aka Dry Needling).
Conditions which are commonly treated with orthopaedic acupuncture include:
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Tendinopathy and Tendinitis
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Muscle strains and sprains
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Arthritis and other Chronic Joint Pain
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Nerve impingements
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TMJ Disorders
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Tension Headaches
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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Low back pain
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Rotator Cuff Injury and Dysfunction
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Plus much more.
What is a Motor Point?
Motor Point Acupuncture is a special technique which developed within the practice of Orthopedic Acupuncture. It involves pricking specific areas of the muscle tissue, called Motor Entry Points, where there is a high concentration of motor neurons. Unlike trigger points, these are specific locations of muscular anatomy and do not represent a pathological change to the tissue Either manual or electrical stimulation is used to produce a well-known ‘twitch’ effect.
We do this to create a ‘neurological reset’ to the function of the motor and sensory nerves within the muscle. This typically creates an immediate improvement in joint stability and range of motion, an increase in proprioception (your body’s positional sense), as well as a reduction of pain associated with the dysfunction.
Motor point acupuncture is essential to treatments involving acute or chronic injuries where the normal function of a muscle has been compromised as well as in neurogenic pain (like sciatica or other nerve impingements) where the nerve conduction is being interrupted.
The most commonly asked question about motor point acupuncture is, “Is this the same as Dry Needling or IMS?” The answer is no. While very similar, they are actually different techniques. Read on to learn about Dry Needling/IMS!
What is Dry Needling?
Dry Needling (varyingly called Trigger Point Therapy, IMS, or Ashi Point Acupuncture) is a technique in which myofascial trigger points are targeted with acupuncture stimulation. Unlike with motor points, trigger points are classified as a dysfunctional change to muscle change - these are the tight and painful muscle knots which we are all familiar with.
These tight contractures of muscle tissue interrupt the local circulation of oxygen and other nutrients to the muscle tissue and result in a characteristic painful sensation frequently with a general region of pain being associated with it (the ‘referral pattern’).
Applying acupuncture to these locations interrupts the tissue contracture and normalizes local circulation. We typically see a twitch response (like with motor points), as the muscle tissue ‘releases’ and normalizes.
It is normal to feel some soreness and fatigue for 24-48 hour following trigger point needling similar to the soreness after exercise.