The main differences are:
The theory behind why the techniques work:
- MDN: based on the theory of Western anatomy and physiology,
- Acupuncture: based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory of meridians, (energy channels), qi (or energy) flow, and acu-points along meridians.
Conditions treated:
- MDN is used mainly to treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.
- Acupuncture is also used to treat musculoskeletal system issues by restoring qi flow in the meridians, but in the context of TCM, it is used to treat other medical conditions as well.
- The assessment of signs and symptoms to help determine treatment.
- MDN focusses on range of motion of muscles and joints, strength, or weakness of muscles, type, and level of pain.
- Acupuncture also uses the above parameters, and in addition, assesses the meridian system, balance of yin and yang and the five elements, pulse, and tongue diagnosis.
Whether viewed as ‘dry needling, or as 'acupuncture', using filament needles has been helping millions of people for thousands of years. It is a safe, tested, and medication-free option for the treatment of pain.
Benefits
Very effective in:
- Enhancing muscle function
- Improving range of motion
- Initiating natural healing responses.
- Stimulating muscle to relax
- Increasing blood flow to region
- Speeding a patient's return to active rehabilitation.
Conditions treated
MDN can be used to as part of the treatment for the following conditions and situations:
- Reducing local and referred muscular pain.
- Chronic and acute conditions causing pain.
- Patients who are sensitive to pain medication
- Where pain levels have not responded to various other therapies.
- Muscular tension headaches.
- Neck and back pain
- Muscle spasms and strains
- Some types of sciatica
- Joint pain
- Overuse injuries
Treatment procedure and effects
- Locate the point to be treated
- Sterilise the area with an alcohol swab
- Place needle with guide tube over target point being treated
- Insert needle with speed penetrating skin barrier to tissue underneath.
Effects
The insertion of the needle is either not felt at all or felt as a slight sting.
- Removal of the needle is also, in most cases, not even noticed.
- When the needle point contacts the target trigger point it is normal to feel:
- An involuntary contraction within the muscle, like a cramp or twitch sensation.
- Heaviness or a dull ache locally or distally from the needle.
- A spreading sensation covering the referral pain zones.
- The most common side effects that may or may not be experienced, usually over the next 24 – 48 hours, and are:
- Muscle soreness
- Fatigue
- Occasionally slight bruising at the puncture site may be seen.
Possible adverse effects:
- Metal allergy
- Dizziness (especially if meals and fluids have been skipped that day.)
- Pneumothorax
Regarding adverse reactions: Studies found on PubMed conducted in 2014 and 2020 to investigate adverse reactions from dry needling concluded that the risk of a serious adverse reaction or event was very low at 0.04%. In contrast, the risk of an adverse event after taking Aspirin is 18% & Panadol is 14.5%!
Informed consent before this treatment is always obtained, and the client may to say ‘no’ at any time, before or during the treatment.
Suction Cupping
About
‘Traditional cupping’ has been used for centuries, and continues to be used, in many cultures of the world, such as Chinese, Greek, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and others.
It’s continued and sustained use over this time, by both lay people and practitioners, provides subjective evidence that Traditional cupping has significant positive effects in terms of improving people’s health and quality of life.
‘Myofascial cupping’ suction cupping applied to the contemporary theories of myofascial and soft tissue systems, where it is described as lifting skin, fascia and nearby soft tissue to loosen adhesions and create space for an increased flow of circulation.
Benefits
The benefits of Traditional cupping revolve around improving the flow of Qi and blood and is beneficial for:
- · Clearing local stagnation
- · Drawing out cold and damp
- · Eliminating fatigue (from modern fast paced society)
- · Restoring energy,
- · Calming the nervous system.
- · Aiding digestion, or stimulating metabolism,
- · Regulating yin and yang
- · Dredging clogged meridians,
- · Expelling illness and prolonging life.
Myofascial cupping has the benefits of:
- Lifting and separating soft tissue such as fascia and muscle fibres.
- o Eliminating adhesions and trigger points
- o Drawing out unwanted metabolic products or toxins
- o Creating space for tissue nourishment, hydration, and healing
- o Helping to reduce pain and discomfort at the site being treated and other distal sites.
Conditions Treated
Cupping can be used for the following conditions and situations:
- Non-specific chronic pain conditions such as:
- Neck pain
- Lower back pain,
- Shoulder and arm pain
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Delayed onset muscle soreness
- Restricted range of motion and flexibility
- Relaxing the nervous system
- Improving the circulation and lymphatic system
- Treating cold, flu, headache, and fatigue
- Enhancing athletic performance
- To soften scarring
- Digestive issues
Procedure for cupping
Two types of cups are used at my clinic:
- Traditional glass cps with the indirect flame method of creating a vacuum
- Silicon cups which are squeezed to create the suction instead of a flame
Cups are left on the body for approximately 3-5 minutes
Suction pressure is adjusted to provide strong or light suction.
Two main cupping techniques used and are known as ‘‘stationary’’ and ‘gliding’ techniques.
Circular markings may appear ranging in colour from deep to light red or no colour. These are all normal reactions, and the stronger marks may take several days to clear.
With frequent cupping sessions these reactions lighten and may not occur at all, as the sluggish circulation is gradually cleared from the area.
Cupping is always done with client’s consent.
Gua sha
About
Gua Sha is a Chinese term carrying the meaning ‘Gua’ – scraping, and ‘Sha’ - reddening of the skin.
Beneficial for:
- - Dredging and activating meridians,
- - Revitalising blood and removing blockages,
- - Clearing inflammation.
- - Stimulating lymphatic drainage.
- - General wellbeing and longevity.
Conditions Treated
- · Flu
- · Asthma
- · Constipation
- · Decreasing Inflammation
- · Neck and shoulder tightness and pain
- · Muscular tension in general
- · Chronic pain
- · Removing toxins from muscles
Gua sha is often used as a preventative to illness as implied with the saying: ‘If illness - gua sha, if no illness - gua sha to strengthen’.
Procedure
After applying a thin covering of oil over the treatment area, a smooth-edged tool is gently scraped across the skin. A positive response is reddening of the skin, after which scraping pressure and repetition is reduced.
Scraping is applied evenly, following the direction of the meridians, and from the centre of the body outward and downward.
Just as with cupping, it is normal for colour to appear. However regular applications of gua sha over time usually sees a reduction in the reddening effect as the stagnation is cleared from the area.
For some the experience is relieving, for others it is uncomfortable.
As with cupping, gua sha is always done with client’s consent.
Moxibustion (Moxa)
Benefits
- Warms the body: (TCM), where cold is a predominant feature causing pain
- Reduces pain caused by stagnation of blood or qi.
- For use on points unsuitable for needling, for example over the umbilicus for digestive disorders.
- Enhances the immune system
- Moxibustion is used in combination with acupuncture, to penetrate the 12 meridians more effectively.
- Warms cold, dries dampness.
- Promotes longevity and overall health by:
- Strengthening yin/yang
- Warms the channels and frees the network vessels
- Moves qi in meridians.
Some conditions that can be treated using Moxa
- Pain – acute and chronic
- Arthritis pain
- Menstrual cramps.
- Bruising.
- Conditions involving cold, damp and wind.
- Some gastrointestinal issues.
- Joint disorders and pain
- To help fight illnesses where the immune system is compromised.
- Sleep issues
- Stress / Anxiety
- Infertility
- Procedure
The indirect method used here is performed by holding the smouldering moxa over the area without directly touching the body.
Moxibustion is administered this way by using:
- A moxa cigar for use over moxa-points.
- Various types of moxa box to cover larger areas.
- Moxa sticks or cones placed on a therapeutic barrier on the skin. E.g. ginger or cardboard.
- Moxa placed on top of an acupuncture needle.
The amount of time the moxa is placed over the target area is according to the recipient’s feedback, in combination with formulae for treating specific conditions.
Precautions
Avoid using moxibustion if
- You are pregnant
- Have a smoke sensitivity
- A lung condition, such as asthma. (Smokeless moxa is an option here)
Ear candling
About
Hopi EarCandles include ingredients such as beeswax, honey extracts, organic linen are combined with powdered Indian medicinal herbs, such as sage, St. John’s Wart and Chamomile, which have been used for centuries for their specific healing properties.
In my experience of using Hopi EarCandles, they have always been drip free and safe and have special design features to ensure this. They are regularly tested by independent laboratories in Germany.
BioSun EarCandles have also obtained the prestigious CE mark(93/42-EEC) for medical devices in Europe.
Benefits
The healing property of ear candles is based on two physical actions.
- Vibration caused by the rising air column gently massages the ear drum promoting secretion of the sinuses.
For the recipient, the effect of regulating ear pressure is often described as a soothing light sensation in ear/head area.
- The locally applied warmth stimulates circulation and lymph flow, enhancing the immune system. Also, at this time, acupuncture points and reflex zones are stimulated.
Biosun have been researching the use of ear candles since 1985, with many people worldwide, both adults and children, benefiting from the healing effects of ear candling.
Conditions Treated
BioSun EarCandles are recommended for the temporary relief of the symptoms of:
- Nose and throat congestion
- Sinusitis
- Headaches
- T.M.J.
- Pain,
- Tinnitus - ringing in the ears.
- Relaxation for stress, anxiety
- May soften earwax for easy removal.
Procedure (at my clinic)
- Initial Manual lymphatic drainage of neck and head.
- Patient is positioned side lying with head supported.
- Candle is lit and the unlit end is placed gently but tightly into opening of ear canal.
- The candle is held loosely and vertical. Crackling sounds are heard by patient, and in final phase intensity increases.
- The candle is removed and extinguished and then residue, if any, is removed from the entrance of ear canal.
- Finally, treatment is completed with further manual lymphatic drainage of face, head, and neck.
- Rest Period: 10 – 15 minutes recommended.
Call me today to discuss or to book your first appointment!
