Dry Needling (aka. Western Acupuncture)
A useful technique within musculoskeletal care
Dry needling is a technique used by some of our physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths and remedial massage therapists as part of a broader treatment approach.
It involves inserting very fine, sterile needles into selected muscles or soft tissues. The aim may be to influence pain, muscle tone, sensitivity or protective muscle guarding and help make movement or hands-on treatment more comfortable.
At Ridiculously Well, dry needling isn’t a stand-alone philosophy of treatment and it isn’t something everyone needs.
It’s simply one of the tools our practitioners may use when they believe it could add value to your care.
What happened to “Western Acupuncture”?
You may have previously heard techniques like this described as Western Acupuncture or Medical Acupuncture.
These approaches developed as clinicians began using acupuncture-type needles within a Western anatomical and neurophysiological framework.
Today, however, most people are much more familiar with the term Dry Needling, and that’s the terminology we generally use at Ridiculously Well.
The important distinction isn’t really the needle, it’s why the practitioner is using it and the clinical framework behind the treatment.
What might dry needling be used for?
Our practitioners may consider dry needling as part of the management of musculoskeletal problems involving things such as:
- muscular pain and tenderness
- increased muscle tone, spasm or guarding
- trigger point therapy
- restricted or uncomfortable movement patterns
- neck or back pain including sciatica, stenosis or radiculopathy
- shoulder, hip or extremity problems
- sports and overuse injuries
- muscle strains (Grades 1 – 3)
- and tendon-related presentations such as tendinopathy or tenosynivitis
It is generally used alongside other treatment, rather than as the whole treatment.
Depending on the practitioner and your presentation, that could include manual therapy, joint mobilization or manipulation, massage, movement retraining, strengthening, rehabilitation or advice about activity and load.
Dry Needling and Traditional Acupuncture are not the same thing
Both treatments use similar fine disposable acupuncture needles, but Dry Needling and Traditional Acupuncture are different therapeutic approaches.
Dry Needling
Dry needling is generally used by appropriately trained musculoskeletal practitioners such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths and remedial massage therapists.
Needle selection and placement are primarily informed by anatomy, the person’s symptoms, physical assessment and the practitioner’s musculoskeletal treatment goals.
At RW it is generally an adjunct to other musculoskeletal care.
Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
Traditional acupuncture at Ridiculously Well is provided by our registered Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine practitioner, Dimity Davis.
Dimity’s approach comes from a much broader Chinese Medicine framework and may include pulse, tongue and abdominal assessment, along with acupuncture, moxibustion and other Chinese Medicine approaches.
People also see Dimity for reasons extending well beyond musculoskeletal pain—including stress, sleep, fatigue, women’s health and support alongside a range of complex or chronic health presentations.
So if you’re looking specifically for acupuncture or Chinese Medicine, rather than dry needling as part of musculoskeletal treatment, Dimity is the appropriate practitioner to see.
[LEARN MORE ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE & CHINESE MEDICINE HERE]
Who at Ridiculously Well uses Dry Needling?
Most of our team members have undertaken additional training in dry needling.
Rather than booking a generic “Dry Needling appointment,” we recommend choosing the practitioner or profession that best suits the problem you’re experiencing.
If dry needling is appropriate, they can discuss whether incorporating it into your treatment makes sense.
Not sure who to see?
Give us a call or send us a message and we’ll help you explore your options.