Dry Needling
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling uses thin filiform needles inserted into:
-
Trigger points
-
Tight or overactive muscles
-
Sometimes connective tissue
It’s different from acupuncture:
-
Based on western anatomy and neuromuscular models
-
Targets motor end plates and myofascial trigger points
How it works
Dry needling affects multiple systems:
1. Local muscle effects
-
Reduces trigger point activity
-
Improves blood flow
-
Decreases muscle tone
2. Nervous system modulation
-
Alters pain signaling (spinal + brain level)
-
Can “reset” abnormal muscle firing patterns
3. Central effects
-
Activates descending pain inhibition pathways
-
May reduce central sensitization temporarily
Benefits for Hypermobility
People with hypermobility often develop secondary muscle tightness because muscles are trying to stabilize loose joints.
Dry needling can help with:
-
Overactive stabilizing muscles (e.g., upper traps, hip flexors)
-
Pain from compensatory muscle guarding
-
Muscle fatigue and cramping
Benefits for Chronic Pain
Dry needling may:
-
Reduce pain intensity (short-term to moderate-term)
-
Improve movement tolerance
-
Decrease muscle guarding
-
Help “break the pain-spasm cycle”
Sometimes electrical stimulation is used on the needles to improve muscle recruitment coordination, decrease pain sensitivity, reduce trigger point irritability, improve blood flow, and increase sensory input.
Established patients can book appointments just for dry needling. Priority and Priority Plus Members also receive a discount on this service.
