Musculoskeletal Dry Needling
What is Musculoskeletal Dry Needling?
Musculoskeletal dry needling is a treatment approach that can help relieve pain, release tight muscles, and support recovery from a wide range of injuries and conditions. At Aret Chiropractic, we provide dry needling in North Ryde as part of a broader care plan to restore movement, reduce discomfort, and improve overall function. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions patients have about dry needling, how it works, and what to expect from treatment.
Aret Chiro Services
- Post injury, Post Surgery and Preventative Rehabilitation
- Trigger Point Dry Needling
- Soft Tissue Therapy
- Flexion-Distraction
- Manipulation and Mobilisation
- Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilisation
Our Value Proposition
- Expert chiropractors go beyond masking the pain; they diagnose and treat.
- Custom treatment plans meant for lasting relief just for you.
- Time-tested chiropractic care blends with modern techniques for total relief.
- We are a compassionate team that listens and supports you every step of the way.
You Ask, We Answer
What is musculoskeletal dry needling and how does it differ from acupuncture?
Musculoskeletal dry needling is a technique used by chiropractors and other manual therapists to treat muscle pain and dysfunction. It involves inserting thin acupuncture like, sterile needles into specific points in muscles, often called trigger points, to relieve pain, reduce muscle tension, and promote healing. It targets tight bands of muscle or knots, aiming to elicit a twitch response that helps release tension and improve blood flow and overall healing.
Acupuncture, traditionally rooted from Chinese medicine, involves inserting thin needles into specific points along meridians which are energy pathways (rather than musculoskeletal anatomy), to balance the body’s energy flow, or “qi.” It’s used for a wide range of conditions, from pain to stress to digestive issues, based on holistic principles of restoring energy balance.
What conditions may benefit from musculoskeletal dry needling?
Neck and Lower Back Injuries
Nerve Entrapments or Dysfunctions
Myofascial Pain and Discomfort
Cervicogenic and Tension Headaches
Tendinopathic Injuries
Ribcage Related Injuries
Temporomandibular (jaw) Joint Disorder
Frozen Shoulder
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow
Runner’s and
Jumper’s Knee
Plantar Fasciitis
Degenerative Arthritic Conditions
Fibromyalgia
How does dry needling work to relieve muscle pain and improve function?
Musculoskeletal dry needling relieves muscle pain and improves function by targeting trigger points which are tight, irritable knots in muscles that can cause pain and limit motion. By inserting a sterile needle into a trigger point, one pay elicit a twitch response which aids in resetting the tight muscle fiber. The twitch response then sends a signal to the brain to promote recovery in the local tissue by increasing blood circulation, re-oxygenating and eliminating inflammatory byproducts. Basically accelerating the body’s natural healing ability.
What should I expect during a dry needling session?
The needles used during the procedure are very thin and you may not feel the needle penetrate your skin. If the muscle being needled is tight or sensitive then you may feel a cramping or a twitch sensation. This is very short-lasting and patients soon learn to recognise this sensation as therapeutic as it is followed by a feeling of pain relief and muscle relaxation. Post treatment response may differ from patient to patient.
What benefits does dry needling provide when combined with chiropractic care?
You would typically expect a longer lasting response to treatment when dry needling is combined with chiropractic care. Both therapies compliment each other well.
Are there any risks or side effects of dry needling?
The most common side effects or risks of dry needling are muscle soreness, minor bruising, feeling drained and fatigued. Muscle soreness in the area of needling may be felt for up to 24-48 hours following the procedure and your treating chiropractor will instruct you on how to minimise the soreness. Please consult with your treating chiropractor if you have any further questions about side effects of dry needling.
How many sessions of dry needling are typically needed to see results?
Usually after a couple of sessions a difference would be noticed in presenting symptomatology.
Who is an ideal candidate for dry needling, and are there contraindications?
Anybody who is over the age of 14 and suffering from a musculoskeletal injury.
Can dry needling help athletes return to sport faster?
Dry needling can significantly speed up recovery, provide pain relief and aid in joint function, which are all key to faster return-to-play timelines.
How is dry needling integrated into a broader musculoskeletal rehab program?
When dry needling is combined with corrective exercises, mobility and flexibility drills, movement re-training and core stability drills then. Dry needling is supportive, not curative on its own.
What scientific evidence supports the use of dry needling?
There is strong scientific evidence to show that dry needling aids in reducing pain and increasing range of motion in people with myofascial pain syndrome. When dry needling is combined with exercise, there is good evidence for treating chronic neck pain, upper trap trigger points and shoulder impingement syndrome.
There is also good evidence for the efficacy of dry needling when treating chronic non specific lower back pain and chronic headaches, particularly when trigger points are involved.
When dry needling is combined with rehabilitation there is favourable evidence for its efficacy in treating sports injuries.
How much does dry needling treatment cost, and is it covered by insurance?
At our practice, dry needling is included in our consultation price at no extra cost.
Visit Aret Chiropractic Today.
Our North Ryde team provides experienced and skilled chiropractic assistance across a broad range of services. Book your consultation today.