Dry needling involves using a fine, sterile needle to release areas of muscle tension or tightness known as trigger points. The technique sometimes elicits a small “twitch” response — a brief, involuntary contraction — which can indicate that the muscle is relaxing and resetting.

Release Muscle Tension: Needling targets overactive or tight muscles, helping them let go and move more freely.

Reduce Pain: The technique can interrupt pain signals and stimulate your body’s natural healing response, often providing quick relief.

Support Recovery: By improving blood flow and muscle function, dry needling can make stretching, strengthening, and manual therapy more effective.

Dry needling is usually combined with exercise and hands-on treatment as part of a complete recovery plan — helping you move better and feel your best.

Consultation: Your physiotherapist will determine if dry needling is appropriate for your condition during your assessment.

The Needle: The needles used are very thin (much thinner than injection needles). The sensation upon insertion is usually minimal.

The Twitch: When the needle reaches the trigger point, you may feel a brief, deep ache or twitch sensation—this is normal and indicates the muscle is responding.

Post-Treatment: It is common to feel slightly achey or bruised in the area for 24-48 hours after treatment, similar to post-exercise soreness.

Dry needling is a technique that our qualified physiotherapists use for a variety of conditions, including lower back pain, neck pain, headaches, muscle strains, and chronic tension.

Interested in adding dry needling to your treatment plan? Discuss it with your physiotherapist during your next session.