Dry Needling North Lakes
Targeted relief for muscle pain and tension at Abound Physio, your leading clinic in North Lakes
Shockwave therapy is an advanced, non-invasive treatment that targets the culprit structures that are driving potential pain messages and flips the switch on your natural healing processes.
%
Success rate when treating neck pain
Kietrys et al., 2013
%
Immediate pain reductions
Studies show an average 70% reduction in pain intensity immediately following treatment due to the local neurological effect. (Shah et al., 2005)
hrs
For peak relief
While you feel immediate changes, the most significant and sustained functional improvement often peaks within 48 hours of treatment.
What is dry needling? Precision targeting for muscle pain
introduction to dry needling
You know the feeling: that deep, unyielding muscle knot that feels harder than bone. This persistent irritation is often a myofascial trigger point—a hyper-irritable spot that keeps your muscles locked in a painful, low-oxygen state.
If traditional massage or stretching hasn’t released it, you need a precise intervention. Dry Needling is a scientifically-driven technique performed by a trained physiotherapist at Abound Physio that uses fine filament needles to access and immediately resolve these tension points, allowing your real recovery to begin.
what dry needling does
The insertion stimulates nerve fibres, causing the localised chemical release of endorphins (“happy hormones”) and other endogenous anti-inflammatory mediators. This sends signals to the spinal cord and brain, stimulating a powerful analgesic response that provides local pain relief for up to 2-3 days.
When the needle precisely hits the taut band, it elicits a reflexive “local twitch response.” This forces an immediate and profound relaxation of the muscle fiber, effectively releasing the knot and restoring normal muscle length.
The mechanical stimulation promotes vasodilation (increased local blood flow) due to the release of inflammatory mediators. This metabolic flush washes out pain-inducing chemicals while flooding the tissue with oxygen and nutrients to promote healing.
when we use dry needling
The primary goal is to desensitise the tissue and create a pain-free “window” that allows you to successfully engage in the necessary loading and strengthening to build long-term resilience.
The vast majority of research shows that dry needling is not a cure, but an effective therapeutic modality that should be used as an adjunct to your overall treatment (Quintner, Bove, Cohen, 2014).
– Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions (Sub-acute to Chronic)
– Tension-Type and Migraine Headaches
– Tendonopathies (Achilles, Rotator Cuff, Elbow)
– Muscular Tenderness and restricted movement
– Chronic Joint and Disc-Related Muscle Guarding
Provides the crucial pain reduction needed to tolerate exercise.
Improves mobility by reducing neurologically driven muscle rigidity.
Creates the essential “window” needed to start the strengthening and loading exercises necessary for long-term recovery.
Western Dry Needling vs Chinese Acupuncture
While both dry needling and traditional Chinese acupuncture utilise fine, solid needles, their ultimate goals and philosophical underpinnings are distinct. Traditional Chinese acupuncture is an ancient practice focused on balancing the flow of energy (Qi) along designated meridian channels, addressing a broad range of systemic and energetic issues.
In contrast, dry needling at Abound Physio is grounded in modern Western medical science. We use detailed knowledge of anatomy, pain neurophysiology, and movement to choose insertion points based on demonstrable muscle and nerve sensitivity. Our goal is not systemic energy balance, but a powerful, targeted intervention to achieve musculoskeletal and neurological modulation, making it the ideal, evidence-based adjunct for your movement-focused physiotherapy rehabilitation plan.
1
Assess: Mapping the Sensitivity
Before any needling, your Abound Physio expert conducts a thorough Musculoskeletal Assessment. We don’t just look for “knots”; we look for signs of altered nerve sensitivity, muscle guarding, and movement restrictions that are driving your pain. This step is crucial for screening contraindications and ensuring dry needling is the right evidence-based tool to accelerate your specific recovery plan.
2
Plan: Customising the Modulation
Successful dry needling relies on precise application based on neurophysiological goals, not a fixed protocol. We customise the needle placement, depth, and technique (e.g., insertion speed, manipulation) to achieve the desired effect: maximum analgesic response and muscle relaxation. Your plan details how needling will integrate with your primary recovery strategy – therapeutic exercise.
3
Treat: Firing the Neurochemical Reset
The treatment session involves using the ultra-fine needle to trigger a localized neurophysiological reset. This stimulates the release of pain-dampening chemicals (endorphins) and instantly improves circulation to the formerly rigid tissue. This creates a critical pain-free “window,” allowing you to start the required therapeutic loading and strengthening exercises immediately, thus ensuring the long-term success of your recovery.
Safety and efficacy at Abound Physio, North Lakes
Dry needling at Abound Physio, North Lakes, is a safe and professional practice. We prioritise detailed screening and informed consent for every client.
Key Safety Fact: The risk of a serious adverse effect, such as a pneumothorax (punctured lung) around the thorax, is extremely rare—estimated at less than 1 in 70,000 to 1.27 million procedures, and almost always due to technical error (ASAP Guidelines).
We utilise sterile, single-use, and ultra-fine needles, and our practitioners have advanced training to ensure the highest standard of care.
Your best recovery starts with the right plan, not just the right needle.
Book your initial assessment today to determine your suitability for this powerful technique as part of a complete physiotherapy plan.
P: 1300 492 174
E: info@aboundphysio.com
F: 07 3544 3075