Integrated Intramuscular Dry Needling

Intramuscular dry needling involves the insertion of a thin needle into muscular trigger points (tight bands in the muscle fibre), to affect neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments. The insertion of the needle can decrease the tight bands, increase blood flow and reduce local and referred pain. The reduction in tightness can also improve mobility and help to restore normal motion. Dry needling is different in technique and philosophy from acupuncture and its use is based on an evaluation of pain patterns, movement impairments, functional restrictions and orthopaedic tests. Physiotherapists using dry needling as part of their professional practice have undergone additional postgraduate training in intramuscular dry needling.