Dry Needling
I'm Anthony McKergow, a remedial massage therapist based in Hoppers Crossing, holding a Diploma of Remedial Massage (HLT52015) and a professional member of Massage and Myotherapy Australia. I work with clients from Point Cook, Truganina, Tarneit, Werribee, Williams Landing, and the surrounding western suburbs.
Dry needling is a focused way of working with muscle that stays tight, reactive, or painful despite hands-on treatment.
It uses a fine, sterile needle placed into specific areas of muscle that are not letting go: the spots that often feel deep, stubborn, or familiar to you.
In practice, I tend to use it when massage alone gets close, but not quite far enough. It is used when the muscle needs a different kind of input to reset and move more freely.
What dry needling is used for
Dry needling is usually considered when a muscle keeps returning to the same pattern, even with regular treatment.
It is commonly used when there is:
- Ongoing muscle tightness that does not fully release
- Trigger points that refer pain into other areas
- A feeling of restriction or “pull” with movement
- Pain that keeps resurfacing with work, training, or daily load
It is not used routinely.
It is used when the presentation calls for it.
How dry needling works
When a needle is placed into an overactive or sensitive area of muscle, it creates a short, local response in the tissue and nervous system.
This response can:
- Reduce excessive muscle tone
- Change how the area is being signalled by the nervous system
- Improve the muscle’s ability to lengthen and move
- Make hands-on work more effective afterward
The needle is not the goal.
The goal is a muscle that moves and behaves differently after treatment.
A 2021 systematic review published in the journal Pain Medicine found that dry needling applied to myofascial trigger points produced significant reductions in pain intensity and improvements in pressure pain threshold compared to sham or control conditions. The effect is understood to occur through local changes in the chemical environment of the trigger point and modulation of central sensitisation pathways.
What treatment feels like
Sensation varies depending on the muscle and how reactive it is.
You may notice:
- A brief ache, pressure, or tight sensation
- A local twitch response as the muscle reacts
- Mild soreness later that feels similar to post-exercise tenderness
Most sensations are short-lived.
Treatment is adjusted as you go, based on how your body responds.
Who dry needling may suit
Dry needling may be useful if you:
- The same muscles keep tightening up between sessions
- You feel relief from massage, but it doesn’t last
- Certain spots always seem to flare up
- Movement feels restricted even when pain is low
Whether it’s appropriate is decided after assessment, not assumed upfront.
When it may not be appropriate
Dry needling may not be used, or may be modified, if:
- You are uncomfortable with needling
- There are medical or safety considerations to account for
- You are currently unwell or inflamed
These points are discussed before treatment so there are no surprises.
Expected Outcomes
Responses vary between people and conditions.
In the short term, some people notice:
- A sense of release or ease
- Improved movement
- Temporary soreness afterward
Longer-term change usually depends on:
- How the area is loaded between sessions
- Consistency of care
- Addressing movement or workload factors where needed
There is no single-session fix.
Change tends to build over time.
How dry needling fits into treatment at PCRMT
Dry needling is used selectively, not automatically.
It may be combined with:
- Remedial massage
- Movement-based treatment
- Simple load or activity adjustments
The focus stays on how your body moves and responds, not on applying techniques for their own sake.
Next steps
Dry needling is applied within a remedial massage session when it is clinically appropriate.
You don't need to decide on techniques when booking.
Select a remedial massage appointment and your treatment will be guided by assessment on the day.
Dry needling FAQs
Does dry needling hurt?
Sensation varies depending on the muscle and how reactive it is. The insertion of the needle is usually brief and minor. The more notable sensation is often a local twitch response or a deep ache in the muscle as it reacts to the needle. Most people describe it as intense but short-lived rather than sharp or ongoing. Treatment is adjusted based on how you respond, and nothing is forced if an area is too sensitive.
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
No. Dry needling is based on anatomy, muscle function, and modern pain science. The needle is placed into a specific area of muscle tissue to produce a local physiological response. Traditional acupuncture is based on a different framework involving meridians and energy flow. The needles may look similar, but the rationale, target sites, and intended effects are different.
What is a twitch response, and is it a good sign?
A twitch response is a brief, involuntary contraction of the muscle that occurs when the needle contacts a reactive area within the tissue. It feels like a short, sudden jump or flicker in the muscle. It is a recognised response that indicates the needle has reached the intended site. Not everyone experiences a strong twitch, and its absence does not mean the treatment is not working. When it does occur, many people notice the area feels different afterward, often less dense or easier to move.
Why use dry needling when massage alone can address muscle tension?
Dry needling tends to be considered when an area keeps returning to the same pattern despite regular hands-on work, or when the tension sits deeper than manual pressure can comfortably reach. The needle delivers a different type of input to the tissue and nervous system, which can produce a response that hands-on techniques alone may not achieve. It is used selectively when the presentation suggests it is likely to add something that massage has not been able to resolve on its own.
How many dry needling sessions are typically needed?
This depends on how long the issue has been present, how the area is being loaded between sessions, and how the tissue responds. Some people notice meaningful change after one or two sessions. For patterns that have been present for longer, or where ongoing load is a factor, more sessions across a period of time are usually more effective. Response is assessed from session to session rather than fixed in advance.
Is dry needling safe, and are the needles sterile?
Yes. Only single-use, sterile needles are used. Each needle is disposed of immediately after use and never reused. Dry needling is applied within a remedial massage session and is not performed in isolation. Suitability is assessed before the session, and any medical considerations, including medications, recent procedures, or conditions that affect how the body responds to needling, are discussed before treatment begins.
Last reviewed: June 2026