What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a treatment used to ease muscular pain, tension, and joint stiffness, practiced by acupuncturists, chiropractors, medical doctors, physiotherapists and massage therapists. Although dry needling uses the same needles as acupuncture ­– which deals with Qi, or energy flow, in the body – the method is different.

Tight, overworked muscles can develop myofascial trigger points – taut bands of muscle fibres that can’t relax properly, making them hypersensitive and painful to even a light touch. They may also cause referred pain, meaning that you may feel pain in a neighbouring part of your body.

Fine, sterile needles are placed into the trigger points, relieving knots and associated pain, and improving blood flow to the area as the body tries to repair its muscle fibres; this is why you may feel sore after a dry needling session. You may also experience different sensations during treatment, for example, soreness or aching, involuntary twitching in the treatment area – or no sensation at all. Dry needling is a completely safe practice that should only be practiced by trained health professionals.

What does Dry Needling treat?

At Up!Health, Dry needling is performed by our chiropractor Dr Kent Au. It is often incorporated with chiropractic care to aid increase range of motion and relieve the soft tissue tension and stiffness often associated with scar tissue. It can also help with:

• Joint stiffness
• Pain from disc herniation and referral pain
• Tendinitis
• Sciatic pain (sciatica)
• Spinal problems
• Neck and shoulder stiffness
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Who shouldn’t receive dry needling treatments?

• People who are afraid of needles
• People who take blood thinning medication

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