Dry Needling Inner West

At Incline Health, dry needling is never a “random” approach. Our physios use a structured process based on clinical reasoning, accurate diagnosis, and your goals. Dry needling is a controlled procedure that requires careful assessment and technical skill to ensure safety and effectiveness.

1) We Assess Your Pain Pattern

We look at:

• Movement limitations
• Postural stress or overload
• Your pain patterns (including referred pain)
• What activities flare your symptoms

2) We Identify Underlying Myofascial Trigger Points

Trigger points are assessed using hands-on palpation and confirmation through symptom reproduction.

3) We Apply Dry Needling Treatment

A fine monofilament needle is inserted into the muscle trigger point area, with the aim of:

• Reducing sensitivity and pain
• Improving blood flow
• Restoring muscle function
• Decreasing muscle tone and tightness

4) We Combine Dry Needling With Other Physical Therapy Treatments

Dry needling is most effective when paired with:

• Manual therapy
• Corrective exercise
• Mobility work
• Strength and motor control
• Education and load management

This “combined approach” is what helps results last.

At Incline Health, dry needling is guided by one main question:

“What’s driving this pain — and how do we resolve it long-term?”

We don’t just want to relieve pain temporarily — we want to correct what’s causing it.

That might include:

• Muscle dysfunction and poor activation
• Overuse and training overload
• Postural strain
• Weakness or lack of control around key joints
• Stress-related muscle tension

Dry needling provides a window of relief so you can move better — then we use that window to build lasting improvement.

Practitioners are advised to stay up-to-date with current research and trends in dry needling, and to seek guidance from experienced colleagues when in doubt about techniques.

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What causes trigger points to develop?

Trigger points usually develop when a muscle is overloaded, stressed, or not recovering well. Excessive release of acetylcholine at the motor end plates can also contribute to the development of myofascial trigger points. They can also occur when muscles compensate for weaker areas. Common triggers include:

• Poor posture and prolonged sitting
• Repetitive movements
• Stress and fatigue
• Old injuries
• Poor strength and muscle control
• Sudden increases in training

How long does it take for dry needling to work?

Many people feel changes immediately — such as reduced tension or improved movement. Others notice results over 24–72 hours.

Some conditions improve quickly, while chronic pain or long-term muscle tension usually requires multiple sessions and a broader physiotherapy approach.

Should I see a physio for trigger point pain?

Yes — especially if trigger points keep returning. A physio helps you address why trigger points are happening, not just treat them. Dry needling is more effective when combined with:

• strengthening
• mobility work
• posture correction
• load management
• manual therapy

Can trigger points be permanently resolved?

Trigger points can improve dramatically — but permanent resolution depends on correcting the contributing factors.

If trigger points are caused by posture, weakness, stress, overload, or poor movement patterns, they’ll often return unless those factors are addressed.

That’s why our approach combines trigger point release therapy, dry needling treatment, corrective exercise, and long-term rehabilitation strategies.

What Are Common Causes of Muscle Trigger Points?

Once identified, trigger points are very treatable — especially when combined with a strong physiotherapy plan. Trigger points don’t appear randomly — they’re usually a response to:

• Muscular overload or repeated strain
• Long sitting hours and forward head posture
• Poor breathing patterns (rib and neck tension)
• Stress-driven muscle guarding
• Old injuries that were never fully rehabilitated
• Training imbalance or lack of recovery

How to Maximise Results from Dry Needling Treatment?

Want better results after your appointment? Try these tips:

• Move Gently Afterwards
• Stay Hydrated
• Follow Your Exercise Plan
• Avoid Heavy Training Immediately
• Use Heat or Light Stretching

Dry Needling vs Acupuncture: What’s the Difference?

This is one of the most common questions we hear. While both use acupuncture needles and can look similar, the purpose and clinical reasoning are different.

Dry Needling

• Based on Western anatomy and neuroscience
• Targets myofascial trigger points and muscle dysfunction
• Used by physiotherapists as part of physical therapy and rehabilitation

Traditional Acupuncture

• Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Focuses on energy flow and meridian pathways
• Often used for broader health concerns