What is dry needling?

Dry needling involves inserting extremely thin, sterile needles into myofascial trigger points. Commonly called knots (we’ve all felt them!), myofascial trigger points are found in muscles and fascia. People usually report experiencing tightness, localised pain and/or referred pain.

While the needles used for dry needling and acupuncture are the same, these treatment options are actually quite different. Acupuncture is a popular Traditional Chinese Medicine practice, which has been used for thousands of years. In acupuncture, needles are inserted into specific sites (acupuncture points) along the body’s meridians to clear energy blockages and facilitate the flow of qi (energy) through the individual. In dry needling, needles are inserted directly into myofascial trigger points to relieve tension, reduce pain and improve function. This technique is much more specific.