Dry Needling

Most of our physiotherapists offer Dry Needling as a standard treatment modality. If you seek this treatment specifically, please discuss this with us when you book.

What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling utilises a solid, very fine (.20 - .40mm) needle (as is used in Acupuncture). It relies on stimulating specific reactions in the target tissue for its therapeutic effect. This is effective for relieving pain in muscles and connective tissue.

How Does Dry Needling Work?

A needle successfully inserted into a trigger point causes a local twitch response. This normalises blood flow and allows proper cellular function to return. Chemicals are then released into the body to help repair and rebuild the damaged tissue in the area.

Is Dry Needling Similar to Acupuncture?

While dry needling and acupuncture both use thin needles, they stem from very different traditions.

Acupuncture is rooted in Eastern medicine, focusing on the flow of energy through meridian pathways to restore balance in the body.

Dry needling, by contrast, is a Western medicine technique grounded in modern anatomy and neuroscience. Physiotherapists use it to target myofascial trigger points (hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscles), a practice also known as "intramuscular stimulation." The result is a similarly effective needle-based therapy, often with less discomfort than traditional acupuncture, and one that works seamlessly alongside other forms of physiotherapy.

Is Dry Needling Painful?

Most patients would not feel the needle. However, some may complain about cramping or a prick sensation; this is normal when eliciting a twitch response.

It is a safe and effective way to treat neuromuscular problems because the physiotherapist has a sound understanding of the muscles and structures. Often, you can see an immediate effect from the treatment.

When Is Dry Needling Beneficial?

Dry Needling can be used in a variety of musculoskeletal problems where muscles are the primary cause of pain, for example: 

• Lower Back Pain
• Shoulder and Elbow Pain
• Neck Pain
• Postural Pain in the Upper Back
• Knee Pain
• Hip/Buttock Pain
• Post-surgical Rehabilitation

 Therapeutic Effects Include:

• Improved range of motion
• Increased blood flow
• Decreased pain
• Overall improved tissue health
• General relaxation effects