Back pain can be incredibly disruptive, whether it turns up after surfing at Manly, long hours behind a desk in North Curl Curl or weekend sport around Mona Vale. Many locals are turning to dry needling to settle muscle pain, ease myofascial trigger point pain and restore comfortable movement. At MGS Physio, dry needling treatment is often used within a complete physical therapy plan to help relieve pain and improve day-to-day comfort.
Key Takeaways
- Dry needling targets myofascial trigger points to reduce muscle tension and support healthier muscle function.
- It can ease local and referred pain by improving blood flow and calming affected muscles.
- It is suitable for many musculoskeletal conditions, including chronic low back pain and shoulder pain.
- MGS Physio physical therapists can guide you on when dry needling treatment should be combined with other physical therapy treatments for better outcomes.
How Dry Needling Helps Settle Stubborn Back Pain
Dry needling uses very thin needles to target myofascial trigger points inside skeletal muscle. These small irritation spots can produce pain, stiffness and limited movement. Many people are surprised to learn how strongly underlying myofascial trigger points can influence pain patterns, including local or referred pain across the lower back, hips or ribs.
The moment a needle reaches a trigger point, the muscle fibres may create a local twitch response. This is simply the muscle releasing tension. The stimulation encourages better blood flow and helps reset the muscular tissue. This is one reason why dry needling can be helpful for musculoskeletal and neuromuscular pain. Some people experience immediate pain reduction, while others notice a gradual improvement as the muscle settles.
If you want to learn more about dry needling treatment, you can explore the MGS Physio dry needling page on their website.
Why Trigger Points Create So Much Trouble
Trigger points can develop for different reasons. Overuse, poor posture, stress, fatigue, and sports can all create muscle tightness or tension that eventually becomes a muscle trigger point. These spots can cause pain far from where they are located. This often leads to myofascial pain, myofascial pain syndrome or more general musculoskeletal pain.
Deep dry needling and superficial dry needling are two techniques used in dry needling to treat myofascial pain. Research, including a randomised controlled trial and a systematic review, has shown significant improvement in treatment outcomes when clinicians utilise dry needling to address musculoskeletal conditions. Studies have shown an increase in pressure pain threshold, a decrease in pain intensity and meaningful changes in pain perception. Some clinical journal publications have even compared dry needling combined with electrical stimulation to sham dry needling and found significant differences in results.
If ongoing tightness or discomfort is getting in the way of training or daily life, booking with an MGS Physio clinician is a simple step toward reducing pain and improving movement.
When Dry Needling Is Worth Trying
You do not need to be an athlete to benefit from trigger point dry needling. It is used in sports physical therapy, general physical therapy and other physical therapy treatments to relieve pain and support recovery. It also works well in conjunction with manual therapy, exercise, and load management.
Dry needling may help people with
• Chronic low back pain
• Referred pain into the hips or ribs
• Shoulder pain linked to upper back tension
• Neuromuscular pain caused by overworked muscles
• Myofascial pain syndromes
• Postural strain from computer-based work
Dry needling falls within a scientific model of physical therapy, despite sharing similarities with both acupuncture and Western medical acupuncture. Traditional Chinese medicine focuses on energy flow. Dry needling, however, targets connective tissue, muscular tissue and affected muscles using a modern, evidence-driven treatment technique. Publications in pain med and sports medicine journals regularly discuss how needling therapies can relieve pain, treat myofascial pain and influence muscle function.
If you are unsure whether dry needling is right for you, the physical therapists at MGS Physio can assess your symptoms and guide you through the best treatment approach for myofascial pain or other musculoskeletal concerns.
What to Expect During a Dry Needling Session at MGS Physio
Your physio will begin by assessing your movement and identifying any areas influenced by underlying myofascial trigger points. They may refer to a trigger point manual or their own clinical experience to locate spots that produce pain. Once they identify the area, a needle is gently inserted through the subcutaneous tissue and into the muscle. You may experience a slight twitch response or a heavy, dull sensation. These reactions are normal and usually settle quickly.
Some sessions include deep dry needling techniques, while others may involve point dry needling or other approaches, depending on the condition. MGS Physio may also use intramuscular stimulation or dry needling combined with electrical stimulation to help increase blood flow and further decrease pain. This approach has been explored in a preliminary clinical trial, which has shown promising treatment outcomes for individuals with complex myofascial conditions.
The American Physical Therapy Association recognises dry needling as a valid tool when performed by trained clinicians. At MGS Physio, it is always used within a safe, personalised plan to relieve pain and reduce muscle tension so you can return to your favourite activities without ongoing discomfort.
If you feel ready to try dry needling or simply want to understand how it can help your back pain, you can contact MGS Physio at their Manly, Mona Vale or North Curl Curl clinics.