Dry needling

Dry needling is a technique physiotherapists use to treat muscle pain and discomfort.

A technique physiotherapists use to target trigger points that can provide effective treatment and relief for your muscle pain.

Using needles inserted into the skin, similar to acupuncture needles, trained physiotherapists can target trigger points in your muscles to relieve knots that are causing you pain and discomfort or are limiting your movement.

It works by releasing tension in the muscle and stimulate healing by increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation.

While acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine and aims to balance energy flow in the body, dry needling is anatomically based.

It focuses on targeting specific muscle areas to alleviate pain and improve function.

Physiotherapists often use this treatment technique for chronic injuries, including:

  • Headache management

  • Osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal pain

  • Muscle spasms

  • Sciatica

  • Knee pain

  • Back pain

Frequently asked questions

Can all physiotherapists perform dry needling?

To provide dry needling treatment, a qualified physiotherapist will have completed additional professional development training and must meet national safety standards.

The need for dry needling will be determined by the treating physiotherapist and is usually performed along with other physiotherapy treatments.

Do I need a referral?

No medical referral is required to see a physiotherapist for dry needling.

Can I claim this service as an extra on my health insurance policy?

You can claim a dry needling session on your private health insurance as part of your physiotherapy consultation, depending on your level of cover.