What Is Neurofunctional Needling & Common Conditions It Can Treat
Many patients of Choice Health Centre have been needled by practitioners, especially if you have seen one of our chiropractors! But, do you know what it is?
What Is Neurofunctional Needling & Contemporary Medical Acupuncture?
Neurofunctional needling, or contemporary medical acupuncture, is a form of acupuncture that targets the peripheral nervous system. Through stimulation and neuro-modulation of the peripheral nerves, we can make changes to the tissues that they innervate. This allows us to take control of a muscle using different frequencies of stimulation when we connect the needle to a stimulation box. We can make a muscle contract that is being lazy, or we can cause a muscle to relax that is overactive or tight. This can also help reduce inflammation and swelling in an area, or bring increased blood flow to the targeted area.
The use of needles in this type of treatment allows us to get the treatment deeper into a muscle. This allows us to get closer to a nerve, lymphatic chain, vascular control centres, or a joint. Joints in the body are well protected with layers of muscle and connective tissue, but using a very fine needle allows us to get to a deeper level then we would be able to achieve with our hands alone. This allows us to achieve a very effective treatment that produces amazing results for many patients, with essentially no risks.
What You Can Expect From A Neurofunctional Needling Treatment
The needles we use are some of the thinnest medical grade single use acupuncture needles available, so this allows for a painless and extremely tolerable treatment; much more enjoyable than many people assume! I know the treatments can look intense if you have seen a video on our social media, but the muscle contractions are essentially painless. If you have never experienced acupuncture, you probably assume the needles hurt like other needles; such as vaccines and blood work. The feeling is very different and some patients feel nothing at all when the very fine needle is inserted.
In order for a practitioner to gain certification in Contemporary Medical Acupuncture in Canada, you must attend a 300 hour intensive course at McMaster University, instructed by some of the top doctors, physiotherapists, and chiropractors in the industry. All chiropractors at Choice Health Centre are certified in this technique.
What Types of Conditions Can Neurofunctional Needling Help With?
Neurofunctional needling can help too many conditions to list; but here are some of the most common uses!
- Tendinitis
- Tennis Elbow
- Golfers elbow
- Plantar fasciitis
- Chronic lower back or hip pain
- Jumpers knee
- Post surgical rehab
- Scars
- Sprained ankles
- Headaches and migraines
- Rotator cuff dysfunction/shoulder pain
- Tension across shoulders/neck
If you have been curious about neurofunctional needling, or if you have pain/dysfunction that is not responding to regular treatment, I encourage you to give it a try, or at least ask us more questions about it!