Dry Needling: What It Is, How It Works, and What does it help with

Dry needling is a commonly used technique in physiotherapy to help reduce pain, improve movement, and support recovery from musculoskeletal injuries.

What is Dry Needling? 

Dry needling is a treatment where your physiotherapist inserts a fine, sterile needle into specific points in muscles, often referred to as myofascial trigger points or muscle knots. Trigger points are composed of tight contraction knots within the muscle which cause and contribute to pain. These trigger points can develop in muscles due to: 

• Overuse or repetitive strain 

• Injury 

• Stress and muscle tension 

The goal of dry needling is to reduce muscle tightness, improve blood flow, and help restore normal movement. 

Unlike injections, nothing is injected into the muscle, hence the term ‘dry’ needling. 

What Conditions Can It Help With? 

Dry needling is commonly used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal pain, including: 

• Neck and back pain 

• Shoulder injuries 

• Tendinopathies 

• Muscle strains 

• Sprains

• Headaches related to muscle tension

• Knee pain

• Calf tightness and injuries

What to Expect From A Dry Needling Session and After

Treatment involves inserting a fine sterile needle into the muscle creating a brief ‘twitch’ response. The initial insertion of the needle does not usually cause any discomfort. The local twitch response can cause brief mild discomfort - some patients describe this as an electric shock, cramping sensation, or jumpy bit in the muscle. Typically the dry needles will be inserted for 5-10 minutes as part of your physiotherapy treatment. Many patients notice improvements in movement or pain shortly after treatment, especially when combined with exercise as part of your rehabilitation. 

After the treatment, it is common to feel mild localised soreness in the muscle (similar to post-exercise soreness). This usually eases within a day or two. Small bruising and temporary fatigue can also occur. Serious complications are very rare. 

How Does it Work?

There are several scientifically supported mechanisms behind dry needling: 

1. Mechanical Effects 

The needle stimulates the muscle, often producing a small involuntary contraction (called a local muscle twitch response). This can help release tightness and reduce tension. 

2. Neurological Effects

Dry needling can alter how pain is processed in the nervous system, helping to dampen down pain signals and our perception of pain. 

3. Chemical Effects 

Research suggests it may reduce levels of inflammatory and pain-related chemicals in the muscle while improving blood flow to the area. 

What is the Difference Between Dry Needling and Acupuncture?

Although both use similar needles, they are based on different principles. 

Dry needling is based in Western medicine, targeting muscles and trigger points. 

Whereas, Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine inserting the needles into meridians to align energy flow/Qi.

Final Thoughts

Dry needling is a safe, effective and research supported technique that can help reduce pain and improve movement, particularly when used alongside exercise and other rehabilitation. 

If you are unsure if dry needling is right for you, speak with one of our qualified physiotherapists who can assess your needs and guide your treatment plan.