Dry needling was developed in the 1970s and is an intervention that uses a solid thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate muscular and connective tissues for the management of pain and movement impairments.

Dry needling is a neurophysiological evidence-based treatment technique, used in conjunction with Massage and other manual therapy techniques used to treat myofascial pain. A thin Acupuncture needle is inserted into a contracture knot or trigger point, the goal is to release or inactivate the trigger points (taut bands within muscles), muscular, and connective tissues for the management of pain and movement dysfunctions. This is shown to restore normal movement and muscle activation patterns as well as facilitation a reduction in swelling (oedema) and muscle spasm, which in turn restores proper alignment and enhancing total body function and balance.

There are mechanical and biomechanical effects. From studies by Tough et al (2009), Kalichman et al (2010), Dommerholt (2011), it is understood that inserting a needle into trigger points can cause favourable biochemical changes, release the body’s own natural pain relief, endorphins, which can reduce the pain response. It is important to elicit local twitch responses, which are spinal cord reflexes. This is the first step in breaking the pain cycle.