Dry Needling Melbourne CBD
Dry needling is a targeted treatment that aims to relieve pain, reduce muscle tension and improve function. At Principle Four Osteopathy, our team uses it as part of an overall strategy to assess and address the underlying cause of your musculoskeletal pain.
In short, we’ll help you move with greater comfort and confidence. Please contact us to make an appointment.
WHAT IS DRY NEEDLING?
Dry needling is a therapeutic technique that is based on Western anatomical and neurophysiological principles.
Contrary to what you might think, it does not involve injections. Instead, it involves inserting fine, sterile needles into specific trigger points within muscles.
Dry needling treatment works by targeting myofascial trigger points (also known as muscle knots), which can contribute to chronic muscle pain, muscle tightness, and restricted movement. It aims to improve blood flow, reduce pain and enable patients to recover faster from musculoskeletal conditions.
How Dry Needling Fits Into Our Treatment Approach
At Principle Four Osteopathy, this treatment is part of a comprehensive assessment our dry needling Melbourne team perform to identify the factors contributing to your symptoms.
It may be used in combination with hands-on osteopathic treatment, joint mobilisation, soft tissue techniques, and exercise rehabilitation. This targeted approach helps them to address both the source of your pain and the movement patterns that may have contributed to it. In doing so, it goes a long way towards reducing the likelihood of ongoing problems from recurring.
Dry Needling vs Acupuncture: What’s the Difference?
Both dry needling and acupuncture use fine needles. But they are based on very different treatment philosophies.
Dry needling involves targeting specific trigger points within muscle tissue and connective tissue that contribute to musculoskeletal pain. It focuses on Western anatomical knowledge to reduce muscular pain, improve muscle function, and promote normal movement.
Acupuncture, on the other hand, is based on traditional Chinese medicine and the concept of restoring energy flow through specific points along meridians.
Dry Needling vs Massage: What’s the Difference?
It’s worth noting that dry needling therapy and remedial massage are complementary treatments that can work well together.
Specifically, massage aims to relieve muscle pain, such as back and neck pain, by treating larger areas of soft tissue. Dry needling, by contrast, targets specific trigger points that may not fully respond to manual techniques alone.
Depending on your condition, your osteopath may recommend combining dry needling with Remedial Massage to maximise pain relief, improve mobility and support injury rehabilitation.
Conditions Dry Needling Can Provide Pain Relief For
Our team may administer dry needling in Melbourne as part of their treatment plan for a range of musculoskeletal injuries and overall health issues. This includes:
- Chronic pain
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Knee pain
- Shoulder pain and frozen shoulder
- Tension headaches
- Sports injuries
- Tendinopathy and tennis elbow
- Plantar fasciitis
- Shin splints
- Muscle tightness and chronic muscle pain
- Poor posture associated with office workers
It is often used alongside osteopathic care to provide significant relief for patients by reducing pain, releasing tight muscles, and restoring normal muscle function.
What to Expect in Your First Session
When you have your first dry needling session with us, our osteopaths will kick proceedings off with a comprehensive assessment of your condition. This will enable them to determine whether dry needling is appropriate for it.
Whilst doing it, your osteopath will identify the muscles and trigger points that are contributing to your symptoms. Once they have done that, they will then insert fine, sterile needles into the affected areas. Unlike acupuncture, you may notice a brief aching sensation or a twitch response as the muscle relaxes. This is a common and expected reaction.
The treatment usually takes only a few minutes as part of your overall consultation. During it, your osteopath will explain any exercises or self-management strategies necessary to continue your recovery.
Is Dry Needling Painful?
Most people find dry needling to be very tolerable.
While the needle entering the skin is usually barely noticeable, you may experience a brief ache or twitch response when a trigger point is reached. Some mild soreness afterwards is also common, similar to the feeling after a workout, and generally settles within 24 to 48 hours.
Safety and Precautions
When carried out by our appropriately trained practitioners, dry needling is considered a safe treatment. When performing it, our team uses single-use, sterile needles and follows strict infection-control procedures.
If you are pregnant, afflicted with a bleeding disorder, are taking certain medications or have a significant needle phobia, we may also modify it accordingly.
Meet Our Practitioners
At Principle Four Osteopathy, our dry needling services are provided by Shaun Coghlan, Logan Sharrock, Heath Williams and Jarrod Testa. Both are qualified professionals with several years of experience dealing with musculoskeletal issues, including reducing tension headaches and shoulder pain, for many athletes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is dry needling different from acupuncture?
Dry needling targets specific myofascial trigger points using Western anatomical principles. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine and the concept of energy flow.
Does dry needling hurt?
Is dry needling safe?
When performed by trained practitioners using sterile, single-use needles, dry needling is considered a safe and effective treatment for your overall well-being.
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