Latitude Blog
What is Dry Needling?
By: Chris Gumbs Published on: 23/07/2025Dry needling is the insertion of an acupuncture needle, a monofilament non-medicated stainless steel needle, into the soft tissues of the body, typically into a myofascial trigger point. Common needle widths are between .16 mm to .30 mm, much thinner than the needles used for typical medical injections. A trigger point is a taut, hyperirritable band found within a muscle which can cause a characteristic pattern of pain locally or at a distance from the trigger point. Weakness, abnormal recruitment of muscles, a loss of range of motion, headaches, disturbed sleep, and even tinnitus are also characteristic of trigger points. When stimulated by the insertion of a needle it will cause a muscle twitch, accompanied by a strong sensory and autonomic response. The sensory component can manifest itself as a variety of sensations (i.e. burning, aching, tingling) and can even reproduce the same pain a client regularly complains about. The autonomic component will sometimes cause sweating or even goosebumps. Following the twitch, the muscle will reflexively relax significantly.
The Link Between Lifestyle and Kidney Stones
By: Chris Gumbs Published on: 02/07/2025Kidney stones, those intensely painful mineral deposits in your urinary tract, are often seen as isolated events. However, your body functions as a connected system. Emerging research highlights the significant role of oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS), in the development of kidney stones. This implies a strong link between kidney stone formation and various lifestyle factors including poor nutrition, lack of exercise, unhealthy weight, poor gut health, inflammation, weakened immunity, and stress. This blog post explores these connections, offering practical ways to improve your kidney health through a complete approach.
Dry Needling: Rehabilitation AND Performance
By: Chris Gumbs Published on: 25/06/2025When it comes to physical rehabilitation following an injury or enhancing performance, there are various techniques and therapies available. One such technique gaining popularity is dry needling. Although similar to acupuncture, dry needling is a distinct treatment that can offer significant benefits. In this blog post, we will explore the top three benefits of incorporating dry needling into your physical rehabilitation or performance optimization regimen. Let’s dive in!
Unlocking Athletic Performance: The Benefits of Dry Needling
By: Chris Gumbs Published on: 18/06/2025Unlocking Athletic Performance: The Benefits of Dry Needling
