Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture: What You Need for Pain Relief

You might have seen "Dry Needling" on our service menu or heard a friend rave about it for their tight shoulders. But what exactly is it, and how is it different from traditional acupuncture?

What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a modern treatment designed to ease muscular pain. Our trained physiotherapists insert fine, sterile needles into specific "trigger points" (knots) in your muscles. The term "dry" means no fluid or medicine is injected.

How It Works

When the needle enters a trigger point, it produces a "twitch response." This reflex releases the tight muscle band, improves blood flow, and reduces pain signals to the brain. It is highly effective for:

• Tennis elbow

• Upper back stiffness (office workers)

• Calf tightness (runners)

• Glute pain / Sciatica

Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture

• Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and focuses on balancing energy flow (Qi) along meridians.

• Dry Needling is based on Western anatomical and neurophysiological principles. It targets specific anatomical structures (muscles) to treat musculoskeletal pain.

Is it painful? Most patients feel a small pinprick, followed by a dull ache or twitch when the muscle releases. This is a good sign—it means the treatment is working!

Try Dry Needling in East Auckland If deep tissue massage alone isn't releasing those stubborn knots, dry needling might be the solution. Ask our team at Velca if this therapy is right for your condition during your next visit. Our senior physio therapists: Abdullah, Kathryn, Simone and Jaden, can all provide Dry Needling.