(03) 9386 4780
Shop 2, 146 Bell Street, Coburg VIC 3058
At Moreland Osteopathy we use Dry Needling as a tool to assist in the release of unforgiving trigger points that linger around even after rounds of manual therapy. We use high quality, sterile & disposable needles, taking the upmost care to make you feel comfortable if you are a first time ‘needler’. It can take between 3-5 sessions to feel the effect of dry needling and for the lucky ones you may respond in your first session.
As a new patient to our clinic you will have an hour Consultation of Osteopathy and Dry Needling. For best results as a return patient to the clinic, we recommend an extended session (45 min or 60 min) of Osteopathy and Dry Needling as this gives us enough time to assess, manually treat as Osteopaths and needle comfortably.
Some conditions that Dry Needling may assist with are:
- Headaches and Neck tension
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Frozen shoulder
- Tennis elbow
- Golfers elbow
- Achilles tendonitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Carpel tunnel syndrome
- Shin splints
- Inflamed tendons
- Muscle strains
For best results, we recommend Dry Needling is used in conjunction with Osteopathy.
Dry Needling FAQ
What is dry needling?
Dry needling, formally known as trigger point dry needling, is a treatment technique that uses small solid needles to release off tight muscles or ‘trigger points’.
The goal is to reduce muscle pain and connective tissue dysfunction, it directly treats the neuromuscular system. The benefits allow for tight muscle release, more joint mobility, and reduces symptoms of pain and irritation.
Is dry needling painful?
Sometimes a small pinch is felt when the needle is tapped into the skin. Most of the time you won’t even feel it’s been inserted!
The technique of dry needling may vary on your needs and your injury. Sometimes your Osteopath may need to ‘manipulate’ the needle to directly affect the trigger point, (This can manifest as an ache) other times needles may be left in for 15 minutes, other times pecking of a tendon or tendon insertion may be needed for best results.
How do the needles work?
The needles affect the neuromuscular system directly. In other words, when the needle is placed into a trigger point or the “tight knots” a local twitch response will be elicited, this is an involuntary reflex by the patient. It means that the trigger point has been placed correctly into the “knot” and will allow for tissue release and return to the muscles resting position.
Is dry needling similar to acupuncture?
The technique and needles used in Acupuncture and dry needling are similar but their rationale and use in treatment are quite different.
The aim of dry needling is to change the tone within the muscle allowing it to relax.
What conditions is dry needling most effective for?
- Neck tension and Tight Muscles
- Muscle strains, ligament sprains
- Rotator cuff injuries & Frozen Shoulder
- Tennis/golfers elbow
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Jaw pain
- Groin strain
- Achilles tendonitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Whiplash disorders
- Shin splints
- Tendonitis
- hamstring and lower back problems
How will I feel after a treatment?
After being needled for the first time you may feel sore and achy. It’s important to rest if you feel this way and drink plenty of water. If you are used to the needling, it should be fine to continue your normal activities that day.
Some people feel better straight away, others feel better a day or two later, and some may not feel much change. If your condition is chronic, regular dry needling may be an effective way of managing it.
For most people, 3 to 6 treatments is enough to change the trigger points and therefore change the muscle tension. Some are lucky and a single session will suffice.
Please Note: Dry needling is safe for most people, however there are a few instances where it should not be used, such as during pregnancy or in a few other medical situations, please speak with your Osteopath to find out more information if you are concerned.