Is Dry Needling Safe during Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a time of numerous questions, especially when it comes to healthcare practices like dry needling.

Many individuals, upon discovering their pregnancy, may wonder whether they can continue or start dry needling treatments during this time.

To provide clarity, we will explore the safety of dry needling during pregnancy, keeping both clinicians and patients in mind.

Understanding Dry Needling during Pregnancy

First and foremost, it's essential to acknowledge that dry needling during the first trimester is considered contraindicated.

Although there is no concrete evidence that it would necessarily create harm, this trimester is characterized by the highest incidence of pregnancy complications.

A Closer Look at the First Trimester

The first trimester, spanning from conception to about 12 weeks, is a critical period of fetal development.

During this time, the risk of complications is comparatively higher, and it's essential to err on the side of caution.

As clinicians, our primary responsibility is the well-being of both the expecting mother and her developing child.

Given the limited research on the safety of dry needling during this phase, it's advisable to avoid it.

There are many other techniques that can be safely administered, apart from dry needling.

The Safety of Dry Needling in the Second Trimester

Conversely, there is some evidence to suggest that dry needling during the second trimester can be performed safely.

As the pregnancy progresses, many of the critical developments have already occurred, and the risks associated with certain complications decrease.

However, even during the second trimester, careful consideration is vital.

Dry needling should only be administered by a qualified practitioner who is well-versed in prenatal care and understands the unique needs of pregnant patients.

Conclusion

The safety of dry needling during pregnancy is a topic of concern for many patients and clinicians alike.

While the practice is generally discouraged during the first trimester due to the heightened risk of complications, the second trimester may offer a more suitable window for treatment.

However, safety should always be the guiding principle, and any decision to proceed with dry needling during pregnancy should be made in consultation with a knowledgeable healthcare provider.

What are the differences between dry needling and acupuncture?

Dry needling and acupuncture are similar in that they both involve the insertion of thin needles into the skin for therapeutic purposes.

However, there are some key differences between the two practices:

Training and background

Dry needling is typically performed by physiotherapists, who have received specific training in the technique. Acupuncture is typically performed by acupuncturists, who have received extensive training in traditional Chinese medicine.

Theory and philosophy

Dry needling is based on Western medical principles and is used to treat specific musculoskeletal conditions. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine principles and is used to restore balance to the body's natural energy flow.

Needle insertion

Dry needling involves inserting needles into specific trigger points in the muscle to relieve pain and improve function. Acupuncture involves inserting needles into specific points on the body's energy meridians to restore balance and promote healing.

Length of treatment

Dry needling sessions are usually shorter in duration compared to acupuncture sessions.

Summary

Dry needling and acupuncture are two different practices that involve the use of needles for therapeutic purposes.

Dry needling is based on Western medical principles and is used to treat specific musculoskeletal conditions, while acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine principles and is used to restore balance to the body's natural energy flow.

How cupping can help you

Olympian gold medalist Michael Phelps got the sporting world talking at the London Olympic games in 2016 when he showed up to his races with purple dots all over his shoulders.  These marks are from a ancient chinese practice called cupping. 

We asked Dina Tsiopelas, Chinese Medicine Practitioner & Acupuncturist at Equilibrium 4 Health about what cupping is and how it could potentially help you.  

What is cupping?

"Cupping therapy is simply the placement of glass cups onto the skin on various areas of the body. There are several application methods to cupping, it can be used in a quick and rhythmical fashion in order to stimulate, restore and balance the body and I often use it in conjunction with acupuncture therapy to enhance the treatment. As I have a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) background, in my practice I use it to regulate the flow of Qi".

Who would benefit from cupping?

"Clinically, cupping can benefit an individual of any age group to treat differing conditions from muscle tension to internal diseases."

How could cupping benefit athletes?

"When relating to musculoskeletal issues or sporting injuries the vacuum pressure of cupping can stimulate the blood vessels around joints and surrounding muscles, which indirectly are activated by a response to the stimulation of the subcutaneous capillary vessels. The expansion of the blood vessels, facilitates in the flow of blood and lymph and from a TCM perspective, “removes congested blood or Qi” in order to alleviate pain."

How does cupping work?

"Simply, the physiological mechanisms behind cupping from an TCM perspective has been described as a general purification of blood, by improvement of circulation function, regulating the nervous system and locally removing pain by relaxing stiff muscles as well as internally affecting the bodily tissues and organs.

The western outlook of cupping has been described as acting mainly on increasing local blood circulation to relieve muscle tension by improving the microcirculation, promoting capillary endothelial cell repair and accelerating granulation (new connective tissue) & microscopic blood vessels that form during the healing process) and angiogenesis in the regional tissue (development of new blood vessels).

Cupping treatment should be assessed by the practitioner according to the condition that is being treated in order to determine the frequency of application."

Got more questions or would like to try it for yourself?

Please contact Dina Tsiopelas, Chinese Medicine Practitioner & Acupuncturist at Equilibrium 4 Health 08 8272 1755

Visit website