Orthopedic Acupuncture
What is Orthopedic Acupuncture?
Orthopedic Acupuncture is a comprehensive style of acupuncture which blends modern science and anatomy with the insights with the techniques and methods of classical acupuncture. In practice, we place emphasis on the 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, Motor point acupuncture, and trigger point (dry needling) are frequently used alongside traditional acupuncture methods creating an specified and thorough treatment.
Special techniques are often used which are unique to orthopaedic 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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And more (add link to comprehensive list of conditions treated)
What is a Motor Point?
Motor Point Acupuncture is a special technique which developed within the practice of Orthopedic Acupuncture. It involves stimulating specific neuromuscular areas of the muscle tissue, called Motor Points or Motor Entry Points with an acupuncture needled where there is a high concentration of motor nerves. 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 signalling being sent to the central nervous system.
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 Trigger Point Therapy?
Trigger Point Therapy (varyingly called Dry Needling, 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.