At Physio Fitness, we understand that persistent pain can significantly impact your life. That’s why we offer Acupuncture and Dry Needling – highly effective, evidence-based techniques integrated into our comprehensive physiotherapy programmes. These treatments provide targeted pain relief, reduce muscle tension, and accelerate your body’s natural healing processes, helping you achieve lasting comfort and improved function.
While both techniques involve the insertion of fine needles, they operate on different principles and achieve distinct therapeutic effects, allowing our expert physiotherapists to choose the most appropriate method for your specific condition.
Our greatest asset is our team of dedicated and highly skilled physiotherapists. Each member of the Physio Fitness family is passionate about helping you achieve your health goals, bringing a wealth of experience, specialised knowledge, and a compassionate approach to every session. All of our physiotherapists are fully qualified, HCPC registered, and committed to ongoing professional development to ensure you receive the most effective, evidence-based care.
Acupuncture (Western Medical Acupuncture):
What it is: Based on Western medical understanding, fine needles are inserted into specific points in the body (often nerve-rich areas or trigger points).
How it works: It’s believed to stimulate the nervous system, leading to the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals (endorphins), promoting local blood flow, and modulating pain signals.
Benefits: Primarily used for pain relief, reducing inflammation, and promoting relaxation.
Dry Needling (Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling):
What it is: Focuses specifically on inserting needles into “trigger points” within muscles. A trigger point is a hyperirritable spot within a tight band of muscle that can cause local and referred pain.
How it works: The insertion of the needle into the trigger point can elicit a “local twitch response,” which helps to release the muscle contraction, improve blood flow, and reduce pain and muscle tightness.
Benefits: Highly effective for releasing muscle knots, reducing referred pain patterns, and improving muscle function and range of motion
These techniques can be a valuable addition to your physiotherapy treatment plan for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including:
Back Pain: Acute and chronic lower back pain, sciatica.
Neck Pain & Headaches: Tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches, whiplash.
Shoulder Pain: Rotator cuff pain, frozen shoulder, impingement.
Knee Pain: Patellofemoral pain, osteoarthritis.
Tennis & Golfer’s Elbow (Tendinopathy): Localised elbow pain.
Plantar Fasciitis / Heel Pain: Pain in the sole of the foot or heel.
Muscle Strains & Spasms: Releasing tight, painful muscles.
Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI): Addressing chronic muscle tension and pain.
Fibromyalgia & Myofascial Pain Syndrome: For widespread muscle tenderness and pain.
Shin Splints: Reducing pain and inflammation along the shin bone.
Your physiotherapist will first conduct a thorough assessment to determine if Acupuncture or Dry Needling is the most appropriate treatment for your condition and to ensure there are no contraindications.
Explanation & Consent: Your therapist will explain the procedure, its benefits, and potential sensations, answering any questions you may have before obtaining your consent.
Needle Insertion: Fine, sterile, single-use needles are quickly and skilfully inserted into specific points.
Sensation: You may feel a brief pinprick upon insertion, followed by a dull ache, tingling, or heavy sensation (often referred to as ‘De Qi’ for acupuncture) or a muscle twitch (for dry needling). These sensations are usually temporary and indicate the treatment is having an effect.
Duration: Needles are typically left in place for 10-30 minutes for acupuncture, while dry needling is often a quicker, more direct process, lasting a few seconds to minutes per point.
Integrated Approach: Acupuncture and Dry Needling are always used as part of a comprehensive physiotherapy programme, complementing manual therapy, exercise rehabilitation, and advice for optimal, long-term results.