Dry Needling

Dry needling can benefit muscle pain, restricted range of motion, muscle spasms, or even muscle guarding. This technique helps release muscle knots, reduce muscle spasms, normalise muscle activity, and improve movement and rehabilitation. Dry needling is a holistic approach that can effectively mitigate many muscular issues.
Dry needling involves inserting a single-use needle, more like an acupuncture needle, into the targeted points of your muscle. This helps decrease pain and improve muscle function by focusing on and targeting myofascial trigger points, which are tight knots that can create pain and restrict movement.

Benefits of Dry Needling

  • Reduces muscle pain considerably and provides relief
  • Accelerates the healing process and helps you get back to normal
  • Normalises abnormal muscle activity
  • Helps in calming hyperactive muscles
  • Enhances effectiveness because it is integrated
  • Speeds up the recovery to help you get back to normal

General Questions

This method can raise a lot of questions in everyone, and here are a few of them to keep you informed:
Is dry needling safe for everyone?
It is usually safe but not advisable for those having needle phobias and medical conditions. It is better to discuss this with your physiotherapist at Sunnybank Physiotherapy.
Although there may be slight discomfort during the dry needling process, inserting the needle is usually quick, and even the pricking lasts a few minutes.
Dry needling has targeted trigger points to relieve pain, but acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine, focusing on the body’s energy flow.

General Questions

This method can raise a lot of questions for everyone, and here are a few of them to keep you informed.

Are you struggling with persistent muscle pain or tightness?
Dry needling might be the solution you’re looking for. At Sunnybank Physiotherapy, we offer this effective technique as part of our comprehensive physiotherapy services.
Dry needling is a modern treatment that involves inserting thin, sterile needles into specific points in your muscles known as trigger points or “muscle knots.” Despite its similarity to acupuncture, dry needling is based on Western medical principles and targets different points in the body.

When a needle is inserted into a trigger point, it creates a local twitch response. This brief contraction of the muscle fibers helps to:

  • Release tension
  • Improve blood flow
  • Stimulate natural pain-relieving chemicals in the body
Dry needling can be effective for a variety of musculoskeletal issues, including:
  • Chronic back and neck pain
  • Shoulder impingement
  • Tennis and golfer's elbow
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Knee pain
  • Muscle strains
Is it Painful?
While you may feel a slight prick when the needle is inserted, most patients report minimal discomfort. Some experience a brief aching or cramping sensation when the trigger point is stimulated, but this typically subsides quickly.
After a dry needling session, you might experience:
  • Temporary soreness (usually resolves within 24-48 hours)
  • Improved range of motion
  • Reduced pain and muscle tension
Many patients report feeling relief after just one session, though a series of treatments is often recommended for optimal results.

While dry needling is safe for most people, it’s not suitable for everyone. Pregnant women, people with certain medical conditions, or those on blood thinners should consult a healthcare professional before undergoing treatment.

At Sunnybank Physiotherapy, our skilled physiotherapists can assess your condition and determine if dry needling could be beneficial for you. We often combine this technique with other treatments like manual therapy and exercise for comprehensive care.

Effectiveness of Dry Needling

Dry needling is effective for conditions like calf cramps, headaches, sciatica, whiplash, tennis elbow, osteoarthritis, and neck and back pain. By focusing on the root cause of muscle pain and dysfunction, dry needling offers a straightforward approach to pain relief and muscle recovery.
Dry needling can effectively add to your therapy plan, helping relieve and accelerate recovery.
At Sunnybank Physiotherapy, our experienced team understands that some patients may feel slightly scared about dry needling. We focus on your comfort and make the environment safe and calm throughout your treatment. Don’t worry about the temporary pain when you can eliminate a bigger one. Schedule your appointment today with Sunnybank Physiotherapy.