Dry Needling & Acupuncture
in Naas, Co. Kildare
Fast, effective pain relief for back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain and sports injuries. Delivered by a Chartered Physiotherapist.
Book an Appointment Back to HomepageWhat is Dry Needling?
Western Acupuncture for Muscular Pain Relief
Dry needling — also called Western acupuncture or medical acupuncture — is one of the most effective tools we use to release deep muscle tension quickly and safely.
Acupuncture has a long history. It has been used since around 1000 BC as part of traditional Chinese medicine. Dry needling is the Western, evidence-based version of this technique. Both use the same fine filament needles. However, dry needling targets myofascial trigger points — specific areas of muscle pain identified through modern anatomy and science.
At Naas Physio Clinic, we use dry needling as part of a broader treatment plan. In other words, it works alongside manual therapy and exercise. This combination releases deep muscle tension that is often hard to shift through massage or stretching alone. Furthermore, by treating this tension directly with acupuncture, your follow-up exercises become more effective. Consequently, your recovery is faster.
Know the Difference
Dry Needling vs Traditional Acupuncture
Both techniques use the same type of sterile, hair-thin needle. However, the approach and goals are quite different. For example, one is rooted in ancient Chinese medicine, while the other is based on modern Western anatomy. The table below explains clearly what sets them apart.
Understanding this difference helps you know exactly what to expect at your appointment.
The Science
How Does Dry Needling Work?
When a muscle is under ongoing stress, small knots called trigger points can form. These are tight, sensitive spots within the muscle. They cause pain at the site of the knot. Moreover, they can also send pain to other areas of the body. For example, a trigger point in the upper shoulder can cause headaches or jaw pain.
So, how does dry needling fix this? Your physiotherapist inserts a fine needle directly into the trigger point. This causes a brief, involuntary muscle twitch. As a result, the tight muscle fibres reset and the healing process begins. Below are the four key things that happen next:
Breaks the pain cycle
First, the needle increases blood flow to the trigger point. This flushes out the chemicals that keep the muscle tight and painful.
Releases the tight muscle
Next, the muscle twitch causes the tight fibres to lengthen and relax. Consequently, your range of movement often improves straight away.
Reduces referred pain
Then, treating the trigger point removes the source of referred pain. Therefore, symptoms in surrounding areas often settle at the same time.
Speeds up recovery
Finally, once muscle tension is released, exercise and manual therapy become more effective. Because of this, your overall recovery is significantly faster.
Conditions We Treat
What Can Dry Needling Help?
Dry needling and acupuncture work well for many common pain conditions. In addition, they are particularly effective when muscle tension and trigger points are the main cause of pain. Below are the conditions we treat most often at Naas Physio Clinic.
If your condition is not listed, please get in touch. We can advise whether dry needling is suitable for you.
Back Pain
We treat both short-term and long-term lower back pain. Muscles along the spine often develop trigger points. This is especially common in people who sit for long periods.
Neck Pain
Stiffness and limited movement respond well to dry needling. Furthermore, we also treat tension headaches that come from tight neck and shoulder muscles.
Shoulder Pain
We treat shoulder impingement and rotator cuff pain. In addition, dry needling is very effective for pain that spreads around the shoulder blade.
Sports Injuries
Muscle strains, hamstring tightness and IT band pain all respond well. Therefore, dry needling is a popular choice for athletes who want to recover quickly.
Headaches & Migraines
Many headaches come from tight muscles in the neck and upper back. As a result, acupuncture into these trigger points often gives fast and lasting relief.
Hip & Gluteal Pain
Tight hip flexors and deep hip muscle tension are common in desk workers and runners. However, they are also very treatable with dry needling.
Sciatica-Type Symptoms
Pain that shoots down the leg is sometimes caused by trigger points in the hip and buttock. In these cases, dry needling can give significant relief.
Chronic Muscle Tension
Long-term tension from stress or poor posture is hard to shift. Consequently, dry needling works well because it reaches deeper into the muscle than massage alone.
Your Appointment
What to Expect During Dry Needling
Many people feel nervous before their first dry needling session. This is very common, especially if you dislike needles. However, most patients are surprised by how comfortable the treatment is. In fact, the majority leave wondering what they were worried about.
Will it hurt?
The needles used in dry needling are very fine — far thinner than a standard injection needle. Because of this, you will often not feel the needle going in at all.
When the needle reaches a trigger point, you may feel a brief, dull ache or a muscle twitch. This is a good sign, because it means the trigger point is responding. Moreover, any discomfort settles within a few seconds.
After treatment, it is normal to feel mild muscle soreness for 24 to 48 hours. This is similar to the feeling after a deep sports massage. In other words, it is a sign that your body is healing. Applying a heat pack to the treated area can also help ease this soreness.
At Naas Physio Clinic, dry needling is always part of a full treatment plan. First, your physiotherapist carries out a thorough assessment. This helps to identify your trigger points and confirm that dry needling is right for you. After that, the acupuncture is combined with manual therapy and a tailored exercise plan. Consequently, this approach gives long-term results, not just short-term pain relief.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the questions we hear most often about dry needling and acupuncture. However, if your question is not answered here, please contact us directly.
What is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?
Both use fine, sterile needles. However, they work in very different ways.
Traditional acupuncture comes from Chinese medicine. It targets energy pathways in the body to restore balance. Dry needling, on the other hand, is based on Western anatomy and science. It targets specific muscle trigger points to reduce pain and release tension.
In Ireland, physiotherapists use the terms dry needling and medical acupuncture interchangeably. Both, therefore, describe the same evidence-based technique.
Is dry needling painful?
Most patients are pleasantly surprised. The needle is very thin, so you often barely feel it going in.
When the needle reaches a trigger point, you may feel a brief dull ache or a muscle twitch. This is normal and means the treatment is working. Moreover, any discomfort usually settles within seconds. Post-treatment muscle soreness is common but also settles within 24 to 48 hours.
How many sessions will I need?
This depends on your condition and how long you have had it. However, many patients notice clear improvement after just 2 to 4 sessions.
Furthermore, dry needling works best as part of a full physiotherapy plan. This also includes manual therapy, exercise and lifestyle advice. Together, these give you longer-lasting results.
Is dry needling safe?
Yes. When a trained Chartered Physiotherapist carries out the treatment, dry needling is very safe.
At Naas Physio Clinic, all needles are single-use and sterile. Moreover, your physiotherapist follows ISCP guidelines throughout. Minor side effects such as brief bruising or temporary soreness can sometimes occur. However, these are always short-lived. Before treatment, your physiotherapist also takes a full medical history to make sure dry needling is right for you.
Can dry needling help with back pain?
Yes — back pain is one of the most common conditions we treat with dry needling. Muscles along the spine often develop trigger points. This is especially true for people who sit at a desk all day.
Consequently, releasing these trigger points with acupuncture often gives fast pain relief and restores movement. Furthermore, this works particularly well when combined with core and back strengthening exercises.
Can dry needling help with neck pain and headaches?
Absolutely. The muscles of the neck and upper shoulder are among the most common places for trigger points to develop. As a result, they can cause neck stiffness, limited movement and tension headaches.
Dry needling these muscles is often very effective. Consequently, both the local neck pain and the headache pattern can improve after just a few sessions.
Is acupuncture or dry needling covered by health insurance?
Physiotherapy — including dry needling by a Chartered Physiotherapist — is covered by most major Irish health insurers. These include VHI, Laya and Irish Life Health.
Furthermore, you can also claim it as a medical expense on your tax return using a Med 1 form. However, we recommend checking your own policy for the specific cover levels that apply to you.
I am nervous about needles. Can I still try dry needling?
Yes, and you are not alone. In fact, many of our most satisfied patients described themselves as needle-phobic before their first session.
Because the needles are so much finer than injection needles, the experience is completely different from what most people expect. Furthermore, your physiotherapist will explain everything beforehand and go at your pace. Dry needling is never compulsory. Instead, it is always offered as one option among several effective treatments.