Dry needling is a therapeutic technique that may help relieve muscle pain and support recovery, used by trained physiotherapists as part of a broader treatment plan.
​What Is Dry Needling?​
Dry needling is a technique where a fine filament needle is inserted into a muscle at the site of a "trigger point." The aim is to achieve a local twitch response, which helps release muscle tension and pain. It can be effective in identifying and addressing neuromuscular dysfunction that contributes to pain and functional deficits.
The needle is very fine, and most patients feel little to no discomfort as it's inserted. When a muscle is sensitive, shortened, or has active trigger points, the patient may feel a brief sensation like a muscle cramp, known as the "twitch response," which is the response we're looking for.
What Can Dry Needling Help With?
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Dry needling is commonly used by physiotherapists to help manage neck pain, back pain, shoulder issues, knee pain, tennis elbow and sports injuries. Used as part of injury rehabilitation, it can help reduce muscle tension and improve movement, and is often combined with other physiotherapy techniques as part of a broader treatment plan.
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Our Approach to Dry Needling:
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Integrated Treatment Approach: We integrate dry needling with manual therapy, exercise prescription, education and comprehensive assessment.
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Focused Needling Technique: Needles are inserted briefly and moved for up to 10 seconds before removal, with treatment typically lasting only a few minutes.
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Clinical Assessment and Response: We conduct clinical assessments before and after sessions to evaluate patient response and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
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Root Cause Identification: We aim to identify and address the underlying causes of musculoskeletal issues as part of treatment.
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GEMt Certification: Our physiotherapists are trained in dry needling through GEMt, an internationally recognised dry needling education provider.
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No Extra Cost: Dry needling is included as part of your treatment, with no additional charge.
Difference Between Dry Needling And Traditional Acupuncture
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Both acupuncture and dry needling use a fine filament needle which is inserted into the skin to treat pain, but that is where the similarity stops.
Traditional Chinese acupuncture focuses on energy levels (meridians). It is a more superficial treatment and the needles are inserted into specific parts of the body to focus on restoring energy or “Qi”.
With dry needling, we are focusing on trigger points (a term that was first described in 1942 by Dr. Janet Travell). These are painful spots in the body that can cause local and/or referred pain.
Dry needling aims to deactivate and desensitise myofascial trigger points which can help reduce muscle tension and support the body's natural recovery process.
Dry Needling Benefits
1. Efficient Treatment Sessions
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Dry needling can be incorporated efficiently within a treatment session alongside other techniques, making the most of your appointment time.
2. Evidence-Informed Approach
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Research suggests the "twitch" response elicited during dry needling is associated with muscle relaxation, which may help relax the surrounding muscles, tendons and joints.​
3. An Established Technique
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Dry needling is a widely used technique for managing acute and chronic pain, with a low rate of side effects. In combination with other forms of treatment, trigger point dry needling can be a useful part of a broader treatment plan for neuromuscular dysfunction, pain and discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is dry needling painful?
Most patients feel little to no discomfort as the needle is inserted, since the needle is very fine. If the muscle has an active trigger point, you may feel a brief cramp-like sensation, known as the twitch response.
What conditions can dry needling help with?
It's commonly used for neck pain, back pain, shoulder issues, knee pain, tennis elbow and sports injuries, usually as part of a broader treatment plan.
Is dry needling covered by private health insurance?
Dry needling is included as part of your physiotherapy treatment at no extra cost, so it's typically covered the same way your physiotherapy session is under most private health funds.
How long does a dry needling session take?
Needles are typically inserted for up to 10 seconds before removal, with the overall treatment lasting only a few minutes as part of your session.
Do I need a referral for dry needling?
No referral is needed to see a physiotherapist for dry needling at Physio K.
Contact Us For An Appointment
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Get in touch to arrange an appointment for personalised physiotherapy treatment and pain management. Our physiotherapists in Bondi are here to support you in managing musculoskeletal issues and improving your physical wellbeing.
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