What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a modern therapeutic technique used by trained physiotherapists and healthcare professionals to treat muscle pain and movement dysfunction. They insert thin, sterile needles—without any medication—into myofascial trigger points, which are tight “knots” in muscles that often produce local or referred pain. By triggering a local twitch response, the needle helps release muscle tension and improve blood flow.

This treatment is often part of a broader rehabilitation plan that could include stretching, exercise, massage, or manual therapy.

How Dry Needling Works

1. Targeting Trigger Points
   Trigger points are hyper-irritable spots within muscle bands. Poor posture, overuse, or injury often cause them. The therapist palpates to identify and target these knots.
2. Needle Insertion and Twitch Response
   Inserting the needle may elicit a minor twitch or spasm. This reaction helps relax the muscle, flush out metabolic waste, and stimulate healing.
3. Blood Flow and Healing
   The needle increases circulation and reduces acidity in the affected area. This promotes nutrient delivery and toxin removal, aiding tissue repair.
4. Pain Modulation and Endorphin Release
   Needle stimulation activates nerve fibers that signal the brain to release endorphins—natural painkillers.

What Conditions Can Dry Needling Treat?

Dry needling offers relief for a wide range of musculoskeletal and nerve-related conditions:

• Neck and back pain
• Frozen shoulder
• Tendonitis and sports injuries
• Headaches, migraines, and TMJ disorders
• Sciatica, carpal tunnel, and plantar fasciitis
• Post-surgical rehabilitation and chronic pain syndromes

It is often applied alongside exercise, manual therapy, and other physiotherapy methods to maximize recovery.

Benefits of Dry Needling

1. Quick Pain Relief
   Many patients notice reduced pain after just one session. Research shows significant decreases in pain and improved tolerance to pressure points up to 12 weeks post-treatment, compared to sham or no treatment.
2. Enhanced Mobility and Function
   Released trigger points allow muscles and joints to move more freely. Dry needling paired with stretching leads to better outcomes than stretching alone.
3. Natural, Non-Pharmacological Pain Control
   With no medication involved, there’s less risk of side effects or dependency.
4. Improved Blood Flow and Tissue Health
   Needle-induced vasodilation brings oxygen, nutrients, and vital healing factors to damaged tissues.
5. Supports Faster Rehabilitation
   Studies suggest dry needling accelerates recovery from injuries and post-surgery by resetting muscle tone and alignment.

Risks and Side Effects

Dry needling is generally safe when performed by licensed professionals. Still, it carries some risks:

• Mild aching or soreness immediately after treatment, similar to post-workout stiffness.
• Minor bruising or bleeding (about 20% incidence), which typically clears within days.
• Infection risk, minimized through single-use sterile needles.
• Rare complications like pneumothorax if needles are misplaced near the lungs.

Who should avoid dry needling?

• Individuals with bleeding disorders or on blood-thinning medication.
• People with active infections or immune system issues.
• Anyone with needle phobia.

Always discuss risks and Contraindications with a qualified physiotherapist.

Understanding the Evidence

Research supports dry needling as a valid treatment for short‑term pain relief and improved function:

• A 2017 systematic review showed dry needling outperformed placebo or no treatment in reducing pain and increasing pressure threshold, with only limited evidence for long‑term benefits.
• Biomedical studies confirm increased blood flow, endorphin release, and muscle relaxation after dry needling.
• However, variability in technique and study quality means results may differ from person to person.

Overall, dry needling is a credible rehabilitation component—not a standalone cure—best combined with exercise, manual therapy, and ergonomic adjustments for lasting results.

What to Expect During Treatment

Initial Assessment
Your therapist will review your medical history, identify problem areas, and ensure dry needling is safe and appropriate.

During the Session

• You’ll lie or sit comfortably in a private treatment space.
• The site is cleaned, and needles (thin, solid filiform types) are inserted into specific muscles.
• You may feel a twitch or mild discomfort—which typically indicates effective targeting.

Post-Needling Care

• Slight soreness, bruising, or tightness may last from a few hours to 1–2 days.
• You’ll be advised to stay hydrated and resume mild movement as tolerated.
• Follow-up sessions are often needed—around 2–6, depending on your condition.

Time Involved
Sessions typically last 10–15 minutes for needling, with follow-up exercises or manual therapy. Overall visit time ranges from 30–60 minutes.

Is Dry Needling Right for You?

Consider dry needling if you:

• Experience persistent muscle knots (trigger points) that block your movement.
• Prefer non-medical, active treatment over pills or injections.
• Want to speed up recovery from sports injuries, surgery, or chronic conditions.

It may not be suitable if you:

• Have bleeding issues or infections.
• Fear needles.
• Lack access to a trained and licensed therapist.

Why Choose a Licensed Physiotherapist?

Dry needling should be performed by physiotherapists with specialized training, strong anatomy knowledge, and clinical reasoning skills.

Look for:

• Certification from recognized physiotherapy bodies (e.g., CMTPT).
• Use of sterile, single-use filiform needles.
• Integration into a complete rehab plan.
• Transparent communication about risks, benefits, and session structure.

Dry Needling in Surrey, South Surrey & Langley

At Renew Physiotherapy, we proudly serve clients across Surrey, including South Surrey and Langley. Our licensed physiotherapists offer effective dry needling techniques tailored to your unique condition. Whether you’re dealing with sports injuries, chronic pain, or stiffness, we design treatment plans that combine manual therapy, active exercises, and lifestyle adjustments for long-term recovery.

Patient Results & Testimonials

Many patients report:

• Immediate pain relief and better muscle control.
• Improved flexibility and range of motion in areas like the neck, shoulders, and lower back.
• Faster recovery after injuries or surgeries.
• Reduced reliance on pain medications, thanks to natural pain modulation.

Science backs these experiences—dry needling’s short-term benefits are well-supported and clinically proven.

Final Thoughts

Dry needling offers a powerful, minimally invasive method for releasing muscle tension, improving circulation, and reducing pain. When conducted by trained physiotherapists and paired with therapeutic exercises, it delivers faster and more sustained recovery from many musculoskeletal ailments.

If you live in Surrey, South Surrey, or Langley, and suffer from persistent muscle tightness, pain, or limited mobility, dry needling at Renew Physiotherapy may be just what you need to get back to your best self.