What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a physiotherapy technique where thin acupuncture needles are inserted directly into myofascial trigger points — hyperirritable spots in muscle tissue that cause local pain and referred pain patterns. Unlike acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine energy pathways, dry needling is based on Western neuroscience and musculoskeletal anatomy.

How Dry Needling Works

Inserting a needle into an active trigger point causes a characteristic 'local twitch response' — a brief involuntary spasm of the muscle fibre. This twitch response is associated with: release of contracted muscle fibres, normalisation of the biochemical environment within the trigger point, reduction in nerve sensitisation, and immediate pain relief. Most patients describe a dull ache or cramping during the twitch response, followed by significant pain relief.

Conditions Treated with Dry Needling

Dry needling is effective for: neck and shoulder muscle tension, tension-type headaches and migraines, lower back pain and lumbar trigger points, piriformis syndrome, plantar fasciitis, patellofemoral pain, hamstring and calf muscle trigger points, tennis elbow and golfer's elbow, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain.

What to Expect

Each session typically involves assessment of trigger point location, cleaning of the skin, needle insertion into trigger point(s), local twitch response, needle removal, and post-needling stretching. Sessions last 20–40 minutes depending on the number of points treated. Post-treatment soreness (similar to a deep tissue massage) may last 24 hours.

Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture

Dry needling targets specific muscle trigger points based on biomechanical assessment. It is performed by physiotherapists with specific training. Acupuncture follows traditional meridian pathways. Both use thin needles but the rationale and technique differ significantly.