What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling uses very fine, sterile needles to target tight or irritated areas within muscles — commonly known as trigger points. Unlike traditional acupuncture, dry needling is based on Western medical principles, including:
- Musculoskeletal anatomy
- Neurophysiology
- Pain science
- Trigger-point therapy
It can be highly effective for both acute and chronic pain and is commonly used by osteopaths and sports medicine practitioners
What does Dry Needling help with?
Dry needling is commonly used for:
- Back and neck pain
- Shoulder stiffness (e.g., rotator cuff tightness)
- Sciatica-related muscular tension
- Headaches and jaw tension
- Sports injuries
- Muscle spasms
- Postural strain
- Tendon-related irritation (when muscular tension contributes)
Our practitioners will only use dry needling where it is clinically appropriate and part of a broader hands-on treatment plan.
Is Dry Needling the Same as Acupuncture?
Although the needles look similar, dry needling and traditional acupuncture are different:
Dry Needling
- Uses Western anatomy
- Targets trigger points
- Focuses on musculoskeletal pain and movement
- Performed by osteopaths, physios & sports therapists
Traditional Acupuncture
- Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Uses meridians & energy pathways
- Aims to support broader systemic health
However, because the techniques overlap, many people search for “medical acupuncture” when they are actually looking for dry needling.
