Treatment involves the insertion of solid, filament needle, as is used in the practice of acupuncture, usually in or around Myofascial Trigger Points. Myofascial Trigger Points have been described as a "hyper-irritable spot within a skeletal muscle". Myofascial Trigger Points are points in muscles which are painful when pushed. Trigger points can refer pain and create dysfunction else where in the body.

Needling commonly involves insertion into trigger points using acupuncture needles to deactivate and help resolve trigger points. However, Myofascial Trigger point needling has limitations to its application, as only needling the site of irritation will not resolve the dysfunction and restriction demonstrated.

Sports Physiotherapist and Lecturer in Dry Needling Plus, Andrew Hutton clarifies further “The term dry needling is also used to differentiate the use of needling in a western physiological paradigm from the use of needling in an oriental paradigm which is referred to as acupuncture.”

Dry needling addresses the limitations and restrictions exhibited by the patient during the physical assessment, palpation to identify the specific changes within the tissue, then applying the necessary needling techniques. In the care of an experienced practitioner, needling can be used in most cases with equal or better effect than other manual therapies, with little or no post treatment side effects.

To schedule an appointment for acupuncture treatment, speak to your physiotherapist, or call (02) 9251 0822