Dry Needling

Dry needling uses thin needles inserted into the skin and muscle directly at a myofascial trigger point.

A myofascial trigger point is a focus of small muscle fibre contraction knots, which are related to the production and maintenance of the pain cycle.

Inserting a needle into trigger points can cause favourable biochemical changes to assist in reducing pain. It is essential to elicit so-called ‘twitch responses’, which are spinal cord reflexes. Local twitch response with dry needling is the first step in breaking the pain cycle in the muscle.

A healthy muscle feels very little discomfort with insertion of this needle. However if the muscle is sensitive and shortened or has active trigger points, you will feel a sensation like a muscle cramp.

Dry needling is used in lower back and neck pain, shoulder knee pain and a variety of sports injuries.

Our physiotherapists have extensive training in neuromuscular dry needling. Please ask us if this treatment would be suitable for you.