Dry Needling

Dry Needling in Brighton East

Dry Needling can help with:

Back Pain

Chronic Pain

Supporting
Fertility & IVF

Migraines

Pregnancy

Stress &
Depression

Women’s Health

Drying Needling performed by dedicated practitioners

tick icon

Qualified

tick icon

Experienced

tick icon

AHPRA registered

dry needling bentleigh

Dry Needling at Blue Wren

What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a treatment by which a practitioner inserts sterile, single-use, fine filament needles (as used in acupuncture) into a muscle to release myofascial trigger points (muscle knots) to improve muscle function and decrease pain. 

The therapeutic effect of dry needling relies on the stimulation of precise reactions in the target tissue.

Book an acupuncture or dry needling treatment

Like to try needling? Book an appointment for acupuncture or give us a call to discuss how we can help you

Dry Needling and Acupuncture

There are many similarities between acupuncture and dry needling. Both involve using very fine single-use acupuncture needles, with no injection of any substances hence the use of the word ‘dry’ as opposed to injecting a ‘wet’ fluid. Both are used for therapeutic treatment.

One of the key differences between acupuncture and dry needling is the diagnostic framework used. Acupuncture uses ancient Chinese medicine diagnostic processes to assess the patient and determine a treatment plan based on the Chinese medicine meridian system. On the other hand, dry needling is a more modern term and its basis is in Western medicine principles.

In both cases, whether the needle is inserted using a Western medicine point of view or Chinese medicine point of view, the patient’s musculoskeletal and nervous systems respond to the insertion of the acupuncture needle, releasing neurochemicals, stimulating blood flow and endorphins.

References:

There are many similarities between acupuncture and dry needling. Both involve using very fine single-use acupuncture needles, with no injection of any substances hence the use of the word ‘dry’ as opposed to injecting a ‘wet’ fluid. Both are used for therapeutic treatment.

One of the key differences between acupuncture and dry needling is the diagnostic framework used. Acupuncture uses ancient Chinese medicine diagnostic processes to assess the patient and determine a treatment plan based on the Chinese medicine meridian system. On the other hand, dry needling is a more modern term and its basis is in Western medicine principles.

In both cases, whether the needle is inserted using a Western medicine point of view or Chinese medicine point of view, the patient’s musculoskeletal and nervous systems respond to the insertion of the acupuncture needle, releasing neurochemicals, stimulating blood flow and endorphins.

acupuncture clinic brighton

The Language of Dry Needling

We use different language to describe what is happening during Dry Needling and Acupuncture treatments.

Dry needling treatments stimulate myofascial trigger points in muscles often felt as muscle knots. However, in acupuncture we use palpation to locate ‘ashi’ points, literally translating to ‘ah yes!’. Ashi points are points of muscular tension that are tender to touch.

Dry needling seeks to elicit a muscle twitch, whilst acupuncture of ashi points seeks to elicit the arrival of ‘de qi’, which can also be a muscle twitch, or other sensations including warmth, spreading or tingling.

Despite the language of acupuncture being Chinese and based on an ancient traditional medicine, the similarities of the practitioner’s intention and patient response is clear, and both acupuncture and dry needling have been researched in modern times and shown beneficial in the treatment of certain conditions

References:

Jo J, Lee YJ. Effectiveness of acupuncture in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilisation or intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acupunct Med. 2017 Jan 11.

Liu Yun, Wu YiQun, Wu Chunxiao, Lu Liming, Yi Wei (2018) Acupuncture for infertile women without undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ART): a systematic review and metanalysis. Medicine, 98:29.

Qian Y, Xia XR, Ochin H, Huang C, Gao C, Gao L, et al. Therapeutic effect of acupuncture on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2016 Dec 19.

Smith CA, Armour M, Shewamene Z, Tan HY, Norman RJ, Johnson NP (2019) Acupuncture performed around the time of embryo transfer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online, 38(3): 364-397.

Zhang X, Soo Lee M, Smith CA, Robinson N, Zhou Y, Ying W, et al. (2018) Effects of acupuncture during in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Euro Journ of Int Med. Oct 2018.

best fertility acupuncture melbourne

When Is Dry Needling Used?

Dry needling is predominantly used in musculoskeletal and sports injuries, whereas acupuncture is used in musculoskeletal conditions and a vast number of other conditions as well affecting every system of the body. So dry needling might be described as one of the many techniques that an acupuncturist uses.

Some examples of times when dry needling might commonly be used:

  • Muscle trauma caused by strain, injury or direct impact
  • Unfamiliar movements or new workouts that your muscles aren’t used to
  • Being immobile for long periods of time, such as wearing a cast or workers in sedentary lines of work
dry needling

Dry Needling At Blue Wren Acupuncture Brighton East

Learning acupuncture takes several years, with over 650 hours of training before a practitioner is registered as an acupuncturist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Acupuncturists adhere to strict professional codes of conduct that include mandatory continuing professional development. In addition, being the primary methodology used in our practice means thousands of hours of clinical practice, refinement of technique, and a passion for using this method to help hundreds of patients every year, not as an adjunct to treatment but as a core pillar.

Our practitioners are fully qualified and registered with AHPRA, members of ANTA, and are covered by all major funds for private health insurance rebates on acupuncture consultations.

If you have a musculoskeletal issue or any chronic pain, talk to us about how acupuncture and dry needling may help. If you would like to learn more about dry needling and how it can benefit you, get in touch with us. Our practitioners also provide appointments for Chinese cuppinggua sha massage, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

acupuncture for anxiety

To book an appointment at Blue Wren Acupuncture for Dry Needling in Brighton East call the clinic on 03 9556 0299 or visit our bookings page.