Adjunct treatments
Dry needling is an optional extra that may be added to some osteopathy appointments at the clinic on Martin Street, Brighton.
Dry needling is an adjunct: it’s used alongside hands-on osteopathy, advice and exercise, never on its own. This page explains what it is, how a session works, what the research says, possible side effects and who it may not suit.
This is general information only. It is not a diagnosis or a promise of results. If I think another health professional would suit you better, I’ll say so.
What it is
Dry needling uses fine, single-use sterile needles placed through the skin into muscle, often at tight, tender spots sometimes called trigger points. It’s called “dry” because nothing is injected. I’ve completed Level 1 dry needling and myofascial cupping training. In practice:
The needles are very fine, solid needles, not the hollow kind used for injections
Every needle is sterile, single-use and disposed of straight after use
No medication is injected
Needles are left in for a short time, or moved gently in and out of the muscle
It’s used as one part of a broader plan, not as a stand-alone fix
Dry needling is only offered where I think it suits you, and you’re always free to say no.
What it’s commonly used alongside
Dry needling is usually one part of an appointment, used alongside hands-on treatment and exercise. Practitioners commonly use it for muscle-related pain and tightness such as:
Neck and upper back tightness
Shoulder pain
Lower back pain
Tension-type headaches linked to tight neck and shoulder muscles
Muscle tightness related to sport, running or gym training
Whether dry needling is a sensible option depends on your assessment. It isn’t used for every condition or every person.
How a session works
Dry needling is added within an osteopathy appointment, after your assessment. I’ll explain why I’m suggesting it, what it involves, the possible side effects and the alternatives, and I’ll only go ahead with your consent.
I clean the skin, then place a small number of needles into the target muscles. You may feel a brief prick, a dull ache or a small twitch in the muscle. You can ask me to stop at any time.
In some appointments, and only with your consent, a mild electrical current may be connected to the needles (electro-needling). Afterwards the needles are removed and placed straight into a sharps container, and we carry on with hands-on treatment and the exercises in your plan.
What an appointment may include
An osteopathy assessment and a clear explanation of your options
Hands-on treatment and exercise advice
Dry needling to the affected muscles, sometimes with electro-needling, where suitable and with your consent
What the research says
Dry needling has been studied in many trials for musculoskeletal pain. The results are mixed, and the research has real limits:
A 2017 systematic review of randomised trials found dry needling may reduce pain in the short term compared with no treatment or sham needling
The same review rated the quality of that evidence as very low to moderate, and found no clear evidence of long-term benefit
Compared with other physical treatments, any extra benefit for day-to-day function was unclear
Later reviews have reported similar short-term findings, but differences between studies make the results hard to compare
Trials vary in technique and number of sessions, so results from one study may not apply to everyone
Overall, some studies suggest dry needling may help reduce muscle-related pain in the short term, but the evidence is mixed and still developing. That’s why I use it alongside hands-on care and exercise, not instead of them.
How progress is reviewed
Everyone responds differently, so I don’t set a fixed number of sessions. At each follow-up we’ll check in on what’s changed — pain, sleep, movement and the activities that matter to you — and adjust the plan from there.
If dry needling isn’t adding anything for you, we’ll stop using it. If things aren’t changing as expected, we’ll talk about why, and whether a referral or a different approach makes more sense.
Possible side effects
Soreness or aching in the treated muscle, which usually settles on its own
Small bruises or minor bleeding where a needle went in
Feeling tired, light-headed or faint during or after treatment
A temporary flare of your usual symptoms
Rarely, more serious problems such as infection, or a needle puncturing the lung (pneumothorax) when needling around the chest wall or upper back
Tell me straight away if you feel unwell during treatment. If you notice new shortness of breath or chest pain afterwards, seek urgent medical care.
Who dry needling may not suit
Dry needling may not be suitable, or may need extra care, if you:
Have a strong fear of needles
Take blood-thinning medication or have a bleeding disorder
Are pregnant, or might be
Have a skin infection, broken skin or swelling over the area
Have a weakened immune system, diabetes, a metal allergy or lymphoedema, or have recently had surgery in the area
Electro-needling isn’t used if you have a pacemaker or other implanted electrical device, have epilepsy, or are pregnant, and the current is never passed across the chest or heart area
Frequently asked questions
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
No. Both use similar fine needles, but they’re based on different ideas. Dry needling is guided by anatomy and an assessment of your muscles, while acupuncture comes from traditional Chinese medicine.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No referral is needed to book. Some funding schemes, such as a Medicare chronic condition management plan, do require a GP referral — see the Funding and claims page for details.
Does it hurt?
Most people feel a brief prick as the needle goes in, and sometimes a dull ache or a twitch in the muscle. Tell me straight away if anything feels too uncomfortable.
What is electro-needling?
It’s dry needling with a mild electrical current connected to some of the needles for part of the treatment. You’ll usually feel a tapping or pulsing sensation, and I adjust the current so it stays comfortable. It’s only used where suitable and with your consent, and the research on it is still developing.
Will I have dry needling at every appointment?
No. It’s only used when I think it suits your assessment and goals, and you can say no at any time.
How many appointments will I need?
It depends on you, your symptoms and your goals. We’ll discuss a plan at your first visit and review it as we go, without locking you into a set number of sessions.
General information only. Osteopathy isn’t right for everyone — I’ll be straight with you if another option is better.
Ready to book?
By appointment only at 123 Martin Street, Brighton.