Understanding Dry Needling
August 9, 2024
Understanding Dry Needling: A Treatment We Use at EBR Physio
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a technique we use at EBR Physio to help relieve muscle pain and tension. This treatment involves inserting fine, sterile needles into specific trigger points in the muscles. These trigger points are tight knots or bands that can cause pain, discomfort, or restricted movement. The goal is to release this tension, allowing the muscle to relax and function more effectively.
How Does Dry Needling Work?
The effectiveness of dry needling lies in how it interacts with the muscles, nerves, and blood flow. Here’s a deeper dive into how it works:
- Targeting Trigger Points: Our muscles can develop small knots or "trigger points," which are sensitive areas that cause pain or tightness. When a needle is inserted into one of these points, it stimulates the muscle fibres, causing them to contract and then relax. This helps reset the muscle's activity, relieving tension and pain.
- Disrupting Pain Signals: The insertion of the needle stimulates the nerve pathways, which can interrupt the pain signals sent to the brain. As a result, your body’s perception of pain from that muscle or area is reduced.
- Improving Blood Flow and Healing: The needle insertion encourages increased blood flow to the targeted area, which helps deliver oxygen and essential nutrients to the muscle tissue, promoting faster healing and reducing inflammation.
- Triggering the Body’s Natural Pain Relief: Dry needling can prompt the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals, further contributing to pain relief and relaxation.
The History and Evolution of Dry Needling
Dry needling has a fascinating history that has contributed to its widespread acceptance in modern physiotherapy. It originated in the 1940s when Dr. Janet Travell, an American physician, began using injections to treat trigger points in muscles. She discovered that the relief her patients experienced was often due to the mechanical action of the needle itself, rather than the substances being injected. This led to the concept of "dry" needling – using needles without injecting any substances.
Over the decades, dry needling evolved as physiotherapists and healthcare professionals recognised its effectiveness in treating musculoskeletal pain. It has since become an evidence-based treatment method used worldwide and is highly regarded for its ability to relieve pain, improve mobility, and enhance recovery. Today, dry needling is a staple in many physiotherapy clinics, including EBR Physio, where we incorporate it as part of a holistic approach to treatment.
What Can Dry Needling Treat?
Dry needling is versatile and can be used to treat various conditions, including:
- Neck and back pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Shoulder pain (e.g., rotator cuff issues)
- Tennis or golfer’s elbow
- Hip and gluteal pain
- Knee pain (e.g., patellofemoral pain syndrome)
- Calf and foot pain (e.g., plantar fasciitis)
It’s particularly effective for muscle-related pain and can be an excellent option for those experiencing chronic pain or stiffness.
Is Dry Needling the Same as Acupuncture?
While dry needling and acupuncture both use needles, they differ in their approach and purpose. Dry needling focuses on releasing muscle tension and relieving pain in specific trigger points, while acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine principles, targeting meridian points to balance energy flow in the body.
Common Myths and Misconceptions About Dry Needling
Despite its effectiveness, there are several misconceptions about dry needling. Let's clear up some of the most common myths:
- “Dry needling is the same as acupuncture.”
This is one of the biggest misconceptions. While both involve inserting needles into the skin, they are fundamentally different. Acupuncture aims to balance energy or “Qi” in the body, while dry needling is rooted in Western medicine and focuses on treating muscular pain and dysfunction. - “Dry needling is very painful.”
Most people feel a mild prick as the needle enters the skin, followed by a twitch or cramping sensation when the needle hits the trigger point. Any discomfort is usually brief, and many clients describe it as a slight ache or pressure that quickly subsides. - “It’s only for athletes.”
Dry needling is suitable for anyone experiencing muscle pain, tension, or limited movement, not just athletes. - “It’s not safe.”
When performed by a trained and qualified professional, dry needling is safe. At EBR Physio, our physiotherapists are experienced in this technique, using single-use, sterile needles for every session. - “You only need one session.”
While some people experience immediate relief, chronic or long-standing issues may require multiple treatments for lasting results.
What to Expect During a Dry Needling Session
Our experienced physiotherapists at EBR Physio will assess your condition and identify the trigger points causing your discomfort. Once the treatment begins, you may feel a slight prick as the needle enters the skin, followed by a twitch or mild cramp as the muscle responds. This sensation is a positive sign that the muscle is reacting to the treatment. Sessions are typically short, and most people feel relief shortly afterwards.
How Does Dry Needling Compare to Other Treatments?
Dry needling is just one of many treatment options available for muscle pain and tension. Here’s how it compares to other common therapies:
- Massage Therapy: Both aim to release muscle tension, but dry needling allows for more precise treatment, especially in deeper muscles.
- Physiotherapy Exercises: Physiotherapy exercises strengthen muscles and improve flexibility. Dry needling complements these exercises by reducing pain and muscle tightness, allowing for greater ease of movement.
- Acupuncture: While acupuncture targets energy meridians, dry needling focuses on muscular trigger points, making it ideal for musculoskeletal issues.
- Chiropractic Adjustments: Chiropractic care focuses on joint alignment, while dry needling releases muscle tension contributing to joint issues.
By combining dry needling with other treatments at EBR Physio, we provide a comprehensive approach to addressing pain and mobility concerns.
Is Dry Needling Right for You?
If you’re experiencing muscle pain, stiffness, or limited mobility, dry needling could be an excellent option. Our team at EBR Physio can help determine if it’s right for your needs.
Book Your Appointment Today
Ready to try dry needling?
Book an appointment with one of our experienced physiotherapists at EBR Physio and take the first step towards a pain-free life. We're here to help you get back to doing what you love!
Don't Let a Calf Strain Keep you Off the Netball Court Netball is one of Australia's most popular sports, and it's easy to see why. It's fast, fun and a fantastic way to stay active. But with all the sprinting, jumping, landing, pivoting and quick changes of direction, netball also places significant demands on your muscles and joints. At EBR Physio, one of the most common injuries we see during the netball season is calf muscle strain. Why Are Calf Strains So Common in Netball? Your calf muscles work hard every time you accelerate, jump for a rebound, land from a shot or quickly change direction. When these muscles are overloaded or fatigued, the muscle fibres can overstretch or tear. Calf strains commonly occur during: Sprinting, jumping or landing Sudden changes of direction or pivoting Playing when tired or after increasing training loads too quickly Many players describe the injury as feeling like they've been kicked in the back of the leg, followed by immediate pain that makes it difficult to continue playing. Signs You May Have a Calf Strain If you've injured your calf, you may notice: Sudden pain in the back of the lower leg Difficulty walking or pushing off your foot Swelling, bruising or tenderness Tightness or weakness when running or jumping Even mild strains shouldn't be ignored, as returning to sport too soon can significantly increase the risk of re-injury. Other Common Netball Injuries While calf strains are among the most frequent injuries we treat, they're certainly not the only ones. Ankle Sprains Landing awkwardly or stepping on another player's foot can result in a painful ankle sprain. Proper rehabilitation is essential to restore stability and reduce the risk of future sprains. Knee Injuries The twisting and pivoting movements required in netball place considerable stress on the knees. Common injuries include ligament sprains, meniscus injuries and kneecap (patellofemoral) pain. Achilles Tendinopathy The Achilles tendon absorbs enormous forces during running and jumping. Repeated loading without adequate recovery can lead to persistent pain and stiffness. Hamstring Strains Like the calf muscles, the hamstrings are heavily involved in sprinting and rapid acceleration, making them another common muscle injury in netball. Finger Injuries Jammed fingers, ligament injuries and fractures are common when catching, intercepting or contesting the ball. Why Early Treatment Makes a Difference Many players hope a calf strain will settle with a few days of rest. Unfortunately, the pain may ease before the muscle has fully healed, leaving it weaker and much more likely to be injured again. Seeking physiotherapy early can help speed up recovery, reduce time off the court and lower your risk of ongoing problems. How Physiotherapy Can Help At EBR Physio, we'll assess exactly what's happened and develop a rehabilitation program that's tailored to you. Your treatment may include: A thorough assessment to determine the severity of the injury Hands-on treatment to reduce pain and improve movement Sports taping to provide support during recovery and your return to training and competition Progressive strengthening exercises Balance and control training Running, jumping and agility drills Return-to-sport testing Strategies to address the factors that contributed to your injury Our goal isn't just to get you out of pain, it's to help you return to netball stronger, more confident and less likely to experience the same injury again. Can You Prevent a Calf Strain? While no injury can be prevented completely, there are plenty of ways to reduce your risk. Simple strategies include: Completing a proper warm-up before training and games Gradually increasing your training load Maintaining calf strength and flexibility Including balance, hopping and landing drills in your training Wearing supportive netball shoes Addressing calf tightness or soreness before it becomes a more serious injury Regular strength training is also one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of lower limb injuries in netball players. How EBR Physio Can Help Whether you're playing junior netball, social competition or at an elite level, our experienced physiotherapists can help you recover from injury and get back to doing what you love. We'll not only treat your injury but identify why it happened, so we can help reduce the likelihood of it happening again. Don't Ignore That Tight Calf If your calf has been feeling tight after games, sore during training or you've experienced a sudden sharp pain on court, don't wait for it to get worse. Early assessment and treatment can often shorten recovery time, reduce the risk of re-injury and get you back on court sooner. If calf pain is stopping you from enjoying your netball season, book an appointment with the team at EBR Physio. We're here to help you recover well, perform with confidence and stay on the court all season long.
The niggle that hasn't settled Why injuries spike in January to March and what to do about it By late February, we start to see a second wave. The New Year motivation is still there but now the load has gradually built up. Training sessions have become more regular. Sport seasons are properly underway. Gym programs are progressing. Work routines are back in full swing. And that small “niggle” from January? It hasn’t quite settled. Instead, it’s becoming harder to ignore. A sore back that’s lingering. A calf that keeps tightening after runs. A shoulder that’s not coping with swimming or overhead work. A knee that feels irritated after sport. Minor issues start turning into more significant ones. Why does this happen? 1. Accumulated load Holiday activity is inconsistent. Some people move less. Others suddenly do more, long walks, swimming, backyard sport, DIY projects. Then February arrives and work, training and sport all resume at full pace. Without a gradual build-up, the body hasn’t had time to adapt to the increased load and that’s when soreness and injuries tend to surface. 2. Posture shifts back to desk mode After the summer holiday period going back to long desk hours can be a shock to the body. Sitting for most of the day, looking at screens and moving less can quickly lead to neck and shoulder tension, headaches and low back stiffness. If you’ve been more active over the holidays, the sudden return to prolonged sitting can highlight tightness or weakness especially if you’re not taking regular movement breaks. 3. Stress load builds By this point in the year stress tends to build across multiple areas of life. Work pressures increase. Family and school schedules become busier. There’s less downtime, and sleep quality is often compromised. Increased stress can also make you more sensitive to pain and more prone to flare-ups. Common issues we see include; Ongoing back and neck stiffness Achilles irritation that hasn’t fully settled Patellar tendon pain during sport Hamstring tightness that keeps recurring Shoulder pain from swimming over summer or gym programs Knee pain after more frequent running, including volume building The encouraging part? These are usually very manageable when addressed early. What to do if something isn’t settling? Don’t wait for it to become “bad enough” If pain has been lingering for 2-3 weeks, that’s your sign. Early assessment is much easier than rehab after a full strain or major flare-up. Modify rather than stop completely. Total rest often leads to stiffness and deconditioning. What to do instead? Adjust your load Reduce intensity temporarily Keep moving in ways that don’t aggravate symptoms The key is finding right amount of movement. Address the cause, not just the symptoms. Ongoing irritation usually means load progression needs adjusting, strength deficits need addressing and recovery time needs to be addressed. Our physios can help you work out exactly what needs to change so you don’t lose momentum. How to reduce your risk heading into March This is the time to consolidate, not accelerate. Build gradually rather than adding “just one more session” Prioritise sleep and recovery Strengthen areas that fatigue quickly Don’t ignore persistent soreness Consistency beats intensity this time of year. The bottom line If something has been lingering, don’t wait for it to force you to stop. Address it early. Adjust the load. Strengthen what needs strengthening. Small tweaks now prevent bigger setbacks later. If something isn’t settling, book an assessment and let’s keep your body smiling into the rest of the year.
Building confidence before and after injury or surgery When you’re facing surgery or recovering from an injury, it often feels like your body has let you down. You might worry about whether you’ll get back to normal, whether movement will hurt, or whether you’re doing the “right” things. It’s completely normal to feel unsure, frustrated, or even a bit scared, especially when everyday activities suddenly feel harder than they used to. Before and after surgery, confidence can take a real hit. Pain, stiffness, and uncertainty can make you second-guess every step. You are absolutely not alone in feeling this way. Confidence isn’t just a mindset, it’s a key part of recovery, and it can be rebuilt with the right guidance and support. Why confidence matters Understanding the psychology of confidence Confidence isn’t about pretending everything is fine or pushing through pain. It’s about knowing what your body is capable of, understanding what’s normal, and recognising your progress - even when it feels slow. Recovery isn’t just physical, confidence, education and reassurance are are all key parts of progress. When you understand the “why” behind each exercise and what sensations to expect, fear is replaced with clarity. And clarity builds confidence. Consistency leads to results People who feel safe and informed tend to stay consistent with their rehab. That consistency is what builds long-term strength, mobility, and trust in how your body moves. Preparing before surgery How prehab builds confidence Feeling nervous before surgery is perfectly understandable. Prehabilitation (prehab) helps you feel prepared rather than overwhelmed. You build strength, improve mobility, and learn the exercises you’ll use afterwards so nothing feels foreign once you’re home. VicGov’s Better Health Channel explains the benefits of preparing physically and mentally before surgery: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/seeing-an-allied-health-professional What a typical prehab plan looks like A personalised prehab program often includes: • Gentle strength work (e.g. quads, glutes, core for lower-limb surgeries; shoulder and scapular stabilisers before rotator cuff repair) • Mobility exercises to improve joint movement • Low-impact conditioning for overall fitness • Education about what to expect in hospital and immediately afterwards. • Learning early post-op exercises ahead of time • Strategies for reducing swelling, pain and inflammation Walking into surgery feeling prepared boosts both physical and mental confidence. Rebuilding trust after surgery The early stages of recovery Once surgery is over, recovery really begins. Pain, swelling, or stiffness can make you doubt your body, even when everything is progressing exactly as expected. Gentle, guided movement is what helps tissues heal, restore function, and rebuild trust. The Australian Physiotherapy Association recommends early, guided movement after many procedures to support safe healing: https://australian.physio/ What a typical rehab plan looks like Rehab is structured in stages and matched to your surgeon’s protocol. Early phase (Week 1–3) • Swelling and pain management • Gentle range-of-motion exercises • Supported walking or gait retraining for lower limb or simple arm exercises for shoulders • Safe activation of key muscle groups • Clear guidance on what and how to avoid Middle phase (Week 4–8) • Progressive strengthening • Balance and stability work • Gradual increases in load • Functional tasks such as stairs, sit-to-stand and controlled bending Later phase (Week 8+) • Higher-level strengthening • Functional or sport-specific activities • Hydrotherapy or Clinical Pilates for controlled, confidence-building movement • Planning for long-term independence Each phase is explained clearly so you always know what’s safe, what’s normal, and what comes next. From recovery to resilience Why rehab doesn’t stop when pain settles Pain relief doesn’t mean your recovery is complete. Long-term confidence comes from restoring strength, balance and control. Many people continue with guided exercise, Clinical Pilates or maintenance physio as part of their ongoing wellbeing. The bigger picture • Prehab prepares joints, muscles and the nervous system • Rehab guides how well and how safely you heal • Lifestyle choices; sleep, nutrition, daily movement all support long-term recovery Confidence develops when your recovery has structure, clarity and consistent support. Explore our ongoing exercise and Pilates options . Where EBR fits in Continuing your care after specialist treatment Once your surgeon or specialist completes their part of your treatment, physiotherapy becomes the next essential step. Our physiotherapists work closely with specialists across Melbourne to ensure your rehab aligns with your medical plan. Feeling supported makes it easier to rebuild confidence. Our goal is to guide you from uncertainty to strength, from hesitation to trust, and from recovery to long-term independence. Key takeaways • Confidence is a major factor in surgical and injury recovery. • Prehab helps you feel physically and mentally prepared for surgery. • Early, guided rehab restores trust in your movement. • Progress is gradual but powerful when you have structure and support. • Long-term resilience comes from ongoing strength, stability and good movement habits. • You don’t have to navigate any of this alone. FAQs Do I need to feel confident before surgery? Not at all. Prehab helps build confidence by preparing your body and teaching you what to expect. Is it normal to feel scared to move after surgery? Yes. Pain and stiffness can make you hesitate, even when everything is healing well. How soon will I trust my body again? Many people feel more confident within a few weeks as movement becomes easier and strength starts to return. Can I do the exercises on my own? You can, but physio guidance ensures you’re progressing safely and avoiding compensation or delays. Do I need physio even if the pain has gone? Often yes. Pain relief doesn’t always mean your strength, balance or stability have fully returned. Call to action If you’re preparing for surgery, recovering from an injury, or feeling unsure about how to trust your body again, we’re here to help. Book an appointment online Have questions? Contact our team You can read more about how we support patients preparing for surgery here: https://www.ebrphysio.com.au/our-services
