Dry needling

Dry needling is similar to acupuncture but where it differs is that it focuses on the local response of tissue under the needles. In dry needle therapy, a physiotherapist inserts needles into tight areas of muscle known as trigger points. This may reduce muscle spasm and pain.

Research suggests dry needling provokes a local healing response, stimulates opioid production (the body’s own painkillers) and helps desensitise the central nervous system.

Dry needling shouldn’t hurt but can cause a ‘twitch’ sensation. Several of our physios are carefully trained in applying this technique.

When can dry needling be helpful?

• Muscle strains

• Headaches

• Back pain

• Neck pain

• Tendonitis

• Sciatica

• Tennis elbow

Talk to your physio if you’d like to know whether dry needling might help you.

If this is recommended as a treatment solution but you don’t like the idea of needles, you can always say no if you don’t think it would suit you. Our physios have many tools under their belt and there is always another way to give you results.