Dry Needling
A precise, evidence based technique that uses fine acupuncture needles to release tight, overactive muscles at the source.
Where dry needling makes the difference.
The needle causes a small, controlled response in the muscle. That resets tone, improves local circulation and helps calm the surrounding nervous system, so the muscle can let go in a way that hands on treatment alone often cannot achieve.
Trigger points in the neck and jaw that refer pain up into the head.
Deep upper trap and rotator cuff tightness that will not release with pressure alone.
Long standing lumbar and glute tightness driving recurring flare ups.
Calves, hamstrings and forearms that keep grabbing on you mid session.
What a session looks like.
Dry needling involves inserting very fine, single use needles into a myofascial trigger point, a knot in a muscle that is contributing to your pain. Unlike traditional acupuncture, it is based on modern anatomy and neuroscience rather than meridian theory.
Your myotherapist starts with a real conversation about your history, your goals and how the pain behaves through the week, followed by hands on and movement assessment.
Your myotherapist assesses which muscles are involved, cleans the skin and inserts a small number of needles for a few minutes. Most people feel a dull ache or brief twitch, followed by a strong sense of release. It is often combined with soft tissue work and specific stretches.
We talk you through why we are using dry needling for your presentation, what you can expect to feel and how it fits with the other tools we have.
You leave with two or three simple things to do between sessions so the change you feel today actually holds through the week.
Who it suits.
- Deep, persistent muscle tightness
- Tension headaches and jaw pain
- Chronic neck, back and shoulder issues
- Sports injuries with trigger points
Part of a bigger plan.
Dry needling works best alongside hands on treatment and a small set of exercises, not on its own. We often pair it with remedial massage in the same session, and follow up with corrective exercise so the same muscles do not keep locking down. If you are also managing wider pain patterns, see our page on the conditions we treat.
Great people who know their stuff. I couldn't do without Kate.
What we most often treat with dry needling.
These are the problems Ballarat clients most commonly bring to us where this technique plays a leading role. Read more about how we assess and treat each one.
Common questions about dry needling.
Ready to enquire about dry needling?
Tell us what's going on and we'll come back to book you in. Open 7 days with HICAPS rebates processed on the spot.
Explore other services.
All servicesHands on treatment for tight, overloaded muscles and long standing tension.
Read about Deep Tissue & Remedial MassageSuction cups to lift fascia, boost circulation and ease stubborn muscle tightness.
Read about CuppingSlow, sustained pressure and guided stretching to restore healthy fascia and range.
Read about Myofascial Release & StretchingSupport, offloading and neuromuscular cueing so you can keep moving while you heal.
Read about Structural & Functional Taping