We offer dry needling as an option within your osteopathy appointment at both our Box Hill and Burwood East osteopathy clinics.
At Box Hill Osteopathy, dry needling is the use of acupuncture needles to treat feelings of tightness and tension. It differs from traditional Chinese and Japanese acupuncture due to the foundation of western theories surrounding muscle tightness and sensory rehabilitation. More traditional forms of acupuncture are based on the concepts of meridians and energy lines.
Dry needling uses the exact same acupuncture needle however the theories for application are different. At Box Hill Osteopathy we use fine Sensei Japanese style needles in our Box Hill and Burwood East clinics. The tip of the needle is approximately 0.3 of a millimetre.
We find that dry needling works best when applied with osteopathic principles and in conjunction with other soft tissue techniques. A more modern understanding of dry needling is that it provides sensory rehabilitation.
Dry needling works best when applied with osteopathic principles and in conjunction with other soft tissue techniques.
Dry Needling FAQs
Dry needling aims to reduce pain, feelings of tightness and to increase range of motion. Dry needling effects, like manual therapy, are temporary and are aimed at getting you back to doing the things you love.
Whilst some needles may be pain free, others may cause a small prick. Factors affecting what a client feels during needling depends on their individual pain response and where in the body is being needled. Some areas such as the hands and feet are more sensitive due to a larger number of nerves in these areas. A common response to needles is often described as a dull ache or twitch.
Treatment reactions can last 24-48 hours. With all osteopathic treatment, there is some risk of post treatment soreness regardless of whether dry needling is used or not.
Absolutely not. At Box Hill Osteopathy, we work in a collaborative framework with client preferences. If you are needle phobic or just don’t like the idea, then we can find alternate means in order to decrease pain and improve function.
Conditions dry needling may help with:
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Sciatica
- Piriformis syndrome
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Headaches and migraines
- Tendinitis and bursitis
- Joint injuries and degeneration
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Runners knee
- Plantar fasciitis
- Rotator cuff and other shoulder related pain
- Sports injuries
- Postural pain