Dry Needling.
What is dry needling?
Dry needling is a form of physical therapy that involves the insertion of thin needles into the skin to treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. Physiotherapists who have done training in dry needling are trained and licensed to perform dry needling as a treatment option for their patients.
The term "dry" distinguishes the technique from injections — no substance is injected. The needle itself is the therapeutic tool. Dry needling is based on modern neuroanatomical principles and targets myofascial trigger points — taut bands and tender nodules within muscles that produce both local pain and characteristic referred pain patterns. It is distinct from acupuncture in its theoretical basis, targeting and goals, though the same fine needles are used.
Dry needling at Articulate is performed by physiotherapists with specific post-graduate training in the technique. It is used as one component of a broader physiotherapy treatment plan — not as a standalone intervention — alongside manual therapy, exercise and education.
How does dry needling work?
The procedure involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body — areas of muscle that have become tight and tender, often as a result of injury or overuse. The needles are inserted through the skin and into the muscle tissue and are left in place for a short period to stimulate the muscle to release tension and pain.
The neurophysiological mechanisms of dry needling are multiple. Direct needle stimulation of a trigger point often produces a characteristic local twitch response — a brief involuntary contraction of the muscle band — which is associated with the release of the trigger point and reduction in pain. The needle insertion also stimulates A-delta nerve fibres that activate descending pain inhibitory pathways, producing systemic pain-modulating effects beyond the local needle site. Changes in local biochemistry — reduction in sensitising substances including substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide and inflammatory mediators — have been demonstrated in the area of trigger points following dry needling.
How is it different from acupuncture?
Dry needling and acupuncture may seem similar at first glance, but they are fundamentally different in their theoretical basis and application. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine theory — targeting acupuncture points along meridians to restore the flow of qi. Dry needling is based on Western neuroanatomy and pain science — targeting myofascial trigger points and peripheral and central pain-modulating mechanisms. The treatment points selected, the reasoning behind selection, and the clinical goals differ significantly between the two approaches. Both are performed by different practitioners with different training pathways.
What conditions is dry needling used for?
Dry needling is used at Articulate as an adjunct to physiotherapy for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. It is particularly effective for:
Is dry needling safe?
Dry needling is considered a safe treatment option when performed by a trained physiotherapist. It is generally well tolerated by patients, with minimal discomfort associated with the needle insertion. Some patients may experience minor side effects such as muscle soreness or bruising. The single use disposable needles used in dry needling are thin and solid, made of stainless steel.
Each needle is used once and disposed of immediately — there is no reuse and no infection risk from needle sharing. Contraindications include local skin infection, bleeding disorders, anticoagulant medication, needle phobia, and pregnancy (for certain needle sites). All contraindications are screened prior to treatment.
What does a dry needling session involve?
Your physiotherapist will identify the relevant trigger points during your clinical assessment based on your pain pattern, palpation findings and the treatment goals for that session. The skin is cleaned with an alcohol swab. The needle — typically 0.25 to 0.30mm diameter — is inserted quickly through the skin using a guide tube, then advanced to the trigger point depth. You may feel a local twitch response — a brief muscle jump — which is normal and expected. The needle is typically left in place for a few minutes. Most patients experience a comfortable heaviness or achiness around the needle site during treatment rather than sharp pain.
Post-treatment soreness — similar to delayed onset muscle soreness after exercise — is common for 24 to 48 hours and is a normal tissue response. Applying heat after treatment and gentle movement help manage post-needling soreness.
Our physiotherapists Yulia Khasyanova, Bethany Kippen and Eliane Machado are all trained in dry needling and are members of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
To book or find out more, call us on 07 3706 3407 or book online below. We see patients from across Brisbane's southside including Tarragindi, Coorparoo, Holland Park, Greenslopes and Mt Gravatt.
Dry needling is a form of physical therapy that involves the insertion of thin needles into the skin to treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. Physiotherapists who have done training in dry needling are trained and licensed to perform dry needling as a treatment option for their patients.
The term "dry" distinguishes the technique from injections — no substance is injected. The needle itself is the therapeutic tool. Dry needling is based on modern neuroanatomical principles and targets myofascial trigger points — taut bands and tender nodules within muscles that produce both local pain and characteristic referred pain patterns. It is distinct from acupuncture in its theoretical basis, targeting and goals, though the same fine needles are used.
Dry needling at Articulate is performed by physiotherapists with specific post-graduate training in the technique. It is used as one component of a broader physiotherapy treatment plan — not as a standalone intervention — alongside manual therapy, exercise and education.
How does dry needling work?
The procedure involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body — areas of muscle that have become tight and tender, often as a result of injury or overuse. The needles are inserted through the skin and into the muscle tissue and are left in place for a short period to stimulate the muscle to release tension and pain.
The neurophysiological mechanisms of dry needling are multiple. Direct needle stimulation of a trigger point often produces a characteristic local twitch response — a brief involuntary contraction of the muscle band — which is associated with the release of the trigger point and reduction in pain. The needle insertion also stimulates A-delta nerve fibres that activate descending pain inhibitory pathways, producing systemic pain-modulating effects beyond the local needle site. Changes in local biochemistry — reduction in sensitising substances including substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide and inflammatory mediators — have been demonstrated in the area of trigger points following dry needling.
How is it different from acupuncture?
Dry needling and acupuncture may seem similar at first glance, but they are fundamentally different in their theoretical basis and application. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine theory — targeting acupuncture points along meridians to restore the flow of qi. Dry needling is based on Western neuroanatomy and pain science — targeting myofascial trigger points and peripheral and central pain-modulating mechanisms. The treatment points selected, the reasoning behind selection, and the clinical goals differ significantly between the two approaches. Both are performed by different practitioners with different training pathways.
What conditions is dry needling used for?
Dry needling is used at Articulate as an adjunct to physiotherapy for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. It is particularly effective for:
- Myofascial pain and trigger points — the primary indication. Trigger points in any muscle of the body can be treated, with the most commonly needled muscles being the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, suboccipitals, masseter, temporalis, gluteus medius, piriformis, thoracic paraspinals and gastrocnemius-soleus complex.
- Neck pain and cervicogenic headache — dry needling of the suboccipital muscles, upper trapezius and levator scapulae is highly effective for reducing the myofascial component of cervicogenic headache and chronic neck pain, often producing rapid symptom relief.
- TMJ and jaw pain — needling of the masseter and temporalis can produce significant and rapid relief of masticatory muscle pain and associated headache, particularly in patients with jaw clenching and bruxism.
- Lower back pain — lumbar paraspinal, quadratus lumborum and gluteal needling addresses the muscular component of lower back pain alongside joint and disc management.
- Shoulder pain and rotator cuff conditions — periscapular and rotator cuff muscle needling reduces the pain and guarding that limits participation in shoulder rehabilitation exercises.
- Sports injuries and muscle strains — hamstring strains, calf strains, hip flexor strains and other muscle injuries benefit from dry needling to accelerate trigger point resolution and reduce pain-related inhibition of the injured muscle.
- Tendinopathies — dry needling of the musculotendinous junction and associated muscles assists with pain management in Achilles, patellar, gluteal and other tendinopathies alongside the progressive loading program.
- Chronic pain conditions — dry needling contributes to the multimodal management of chronic widespread pain conditions including fibromyalgia, where myofascial trigger points are a consistent pain contributor.
Is dry needling safe?
Dry needling is considered a safe treatment option when performed by a trained physiotherapist. It is generally well tolerated by patients, with minimal discomfort associated with the needle insertion. Some patients may experience minor side effects such as muscle soreness or bruising. The single use disposable needles used in dry needling are thin and solid, made of stainless steel.
Each needle is used once and disposed of immediately — there is no reuse and no infection risk from needle sharing. Contraindications include local skin infection, bleeding disorders, anticoagulant medication, needle phobia, and pregnancy (for certain needle sites). All contraindications are screened prior to treatment.
What does a dry needling session involve?
Your physiotherapist will identify the relevant trigger points during your clinical assessment based on your pain pattern, palpation findings and the treatment goals for that session. The skin is cleaned with an alcohol swab. The needle — typically 0.25 to 0.30mm diameter — is inserted quickly through the skin using a guide tube, then advanced to the trigger point depth. You may feel a local twitch response — a brief muscle jump — which is normal and expected. The needle is typically left in place for a few minutes. Most patients experience a comfortable heaviness or achiness around the needle site during treatment rather than sharp pain.
Post-treatment soreness — similar to delayed onset muscle soreness after exercise — is common for 24 to 48 hours and is a normal tissue response. Applying heat after treatment and gentle movement help manage post-needling soreness.
Our physiotherapists Yulia Khasyanova, Bethany Kippen and Eliane Machado are all trained in dry needling and are members of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
To book or find out more, call us on 07 3706 3407 or book online below. We see patients from across Brisbane's southside including Tarragindi, Coorparoo, Holland Park, Greenslopes and Mt Gravatt.
About our dry needling physiotherapists.
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Senior Physiotherapist.
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Senior Physiotherapist.
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Senior Physiotherapist.
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If you have any questions about our dry needling treatments please don't hesitate to get in touch with our friendly reception staff by calling 07 3706 3407 or emailing [email protected].