Dry needling is a Western Acupuncture technique that we utilise to release myofascial trigger points, commonly known as knots.
A knot or trigger point is defined by a localised area of tenderness and small palpable nodules which presents within a taut band of muscle tissue. Trigger points can occur for a multitude such as stress, tissue damage, injury and muscle overload. The side effects of trigger points include muscle soreness, stiffness, pain and dysfunction.
Dry needling is a technique we use at M3 to reduce trigger points within tight muscle tissue with an aim of reducing pain and stiffness and enhancing muscle function. We use the same fine needles that are used during acupuncture treatment however the application is not the same. The key difference with dry needling is that the needle placement is determined by palpation of the muscle opposed to the pre-defined acupuncture points.
Our Acupuncturist & Dry Needling Physio
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Lauren McDonald
Lauren McDonald
Lauren graduated from Otago University in 2013 and has since completed her postgraduate studies in Acupuncture. She has an impressive resume working with New Zealand Seven’s, Super rugby Chiefs under 20s and the Red Bull Ignite Seven squads to name a few. Lauren loves helping patients regain their full function and achieve and maintain their personal goals, whether it be in sports or normal day to day activities. She has a very strong focus on prevention, education and using exercise as a key rehabilitation tool with the combination of hands-on therapy such as manual therapy and acupuncture. Lauren the Northland Rugby Taniwha Head Physiotherapist for the 2022 season and is in fulltime camp from July – October.