Tried everything for tight muscles or stubborn pain and nothing seems to stick? Dry needling might just be the missing link. It’s fast becoming a favourite tool among physios for its deep, targeted relief. In this blog, we break down what it is, how it works, and why it could be a total game-changer for your recovery.

What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a technique used by trained physiotherapists to treat muscle pain and dysfunction. It involves inserting very fine, sterile acupuncture needles into specific points in the muscles, often referred to as “trigger points” or tight bands. The goal? To release tension, improve blood flow, and reset dysfunctional movement patterns.

Now, before you think, “Isn’t that just acupuncture?” — let’s clear that up. While dry needling and acupuncture use similar needles, they’re based on entirely different principles. Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and works along meridian lines and energy flow. Dry needling, on the other hand, is based on Western anatomy and targets the actual source of muscle dysfunction.

How Does It Work?

Dry needling works by creating a micro-lesion in the tissue that triggers a local twitch response — kind of like your muscle giving a little spasm. While that might sound odd, this twitch response is a good thing. It signals that the tight knot (trigger point) has been disrupted and the muscle is ready to let go.

Here’s what happens physiologically:

Why We Use Dry Needling in Physiotherapy

At our clinic, dry needling is one of the most effective adjuncts to hands-on therapy and rehabilitation. It’s particularly helpful for:

Dry needling allows us to “go deeper” into the muscle tissue than manual therapy can, which makes it a powerful tool in unlocking long-standing tightness and guarding patterns. It’s especially helpful when someone has hit a plateau with other treatments.

What Does Dry Needling Feel Like?

Let’s be honest — the idea of needles isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But most people are surprised by how little it actually hurts. The needles are very thin — about the size of a hair — and don’t inject anything (hence the term “dry”).

You might feel a slight pinch when the needle goes in, and a twitch or dull ache if we hit a trigger point. But this usually lasts just a second or two and is followed by a feeling of release. Some people feel a bit sore afterwards — like a gym workout — but this settles quickly.

Is It Safe?

Absolutely — when done by a qualified practitioner. All our physios who use dry needling have undergone additional training and are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). We use sterile, single-use needles and follow strict hygiene protocols.

As with any treatment, there are small risks (e.g. bruising or temporary soreness), but serious complications are extremely rare. We’ll always talk you through it beforehand and make sure it’s suitable for your condition and comfort level.

Real Results: A Patient Story

Let’s take a look at how dry needling made a real difference for one of our recent patients — let’s call her Emma.

Emma is a 38-year-old graphic designer who had been dealing with ongoing shoulder and upper back pain for nearly three years. Her symptoms would flare up especially after long hours at her desk or during workouts. She’d tried everything: chiropractic adjustments, osteopathy, massage, and even seen three different physiotherapists. While each helped a bit, the relief never lasted.

When Emma came to us, she was understandably frustrated. Her muscles felt constantly tight, and no amount of stretching or massage seemed to shift it. After a thorough assessment, we identified some deep myofascial trigger points in her upper traps, rhomboids, and rotator cuff.

We introduced dry needling in her second session, targeting those deeper muscle layers that had been resistant to other treatments. Sarah felt an immediate difference — she described it as if someone had “hit the reset button” on her shoulder.

Over the next few sessions, we combined dry needling with hands-on therapy, posture retraining, and a targeted exercise program. With her muscles finally able to relax, we could strengthen her shoulder girdle and improve her movement patterns without triggering pain.

Three months later, Emma is back in the gym, sitting comfortably at her desk, and hasn’t needed to return for a flare-up. She even jokes that dry needling was the “missing ingredient” no one else had offered.

How We Incorporate It Into Treatment

Dry needling isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution — it’s a tool in a broader physio toolkit. At our clinic, we use it in a targeted, evidence-based way. That means:

We usually don’t rely on dry needling as a standalone. It’s most effective when used alongside strengthening, mobility work, and lifestyle changes (like work set-up or sleep posture).

Who Shouldn’t Have Dry Needling?

While dry needling is safe for most people, there are a few situations where we’d hold off or approach with extra care. These include:

If you’re not sure, just ask. We always tailor treatment to your individual needs and comfort level.

What Does the Research Say?

Dry needling is backed by a growing body of research, especially for musculoskeletal pain and trigger point release. Studies have shown that dry needling can:

While not a miracle cure, dry needling is increasingly seen as a valuable adjunct in physiotherapy, particularly when traditional methods haven’t been enough.

FAQs

How many sessions will I need?
This really depends on the issue. Some people get big results in 1–2 sessions, while others may benefit from a short course alongside their rehab program.

Is it the same as trigger point massage therapy?
Similar idea — both target muscle knots. But dry needling uses a needle to go deeper, which can be more effective for stubborn trigger points.

Can I exercise after dry needling?
Yes, but we usually suggest light activity on the same day and heavier training the following day. You might feel a bit sore — that’s normal.

Do the needles stay in long?
Usually not. Most are inserted and removed within a few seconds. Sometimes we’ll leave them in for a few minutes depending on the area.

Final Thoughts

Dry needling might sound intense, but it’s actually a gentle and highly targeted way to release muscle tension that other techniques just can’t reach. If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of pain, especially with recurring tightness that just won’t let go, dry needling could be the breakthrough you need.

And remember — it’s not about “just needling and done.” It’s about using the right tools, in the right hands, at the right time.

References & Further Reading

Let us know if you’re curious about whether dry needling could work for your condition — we’re always happy to chat! Call us on 9806 3077 today.