June 2026 | Bradley Heald, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist
When most people hear the word acupuncture, they picture ancient Chinese medicine, incense, and practitioners talking about energy flow. While traditional acupuncture has been around for thousands of years, the version used by many physiotherapists today is quite different. It is rooted in anatomy, neuroscience, and evidence-based clinical practice.
At Freedom Physiotherapy & Wellness Centre, we are always looking for effective treatments that can help our patients move better, recover faster, and get back to doing the things they enjoy. As part of that commitment, I recently completed a Foundations of Acupuncture and Dry Needling course with Breeze Academy in London.
Since completing the course, I’ve started using both techniques with suitable patients in clinic. While they are certainly not a magic fix, I’ve already seen how they can help settle pain, improve movement, and sometimes help patients make progress when they feel they have hit a plateau in their recovery.
In this blog, I’ll explain what acupuncture and dry needling actually involve, how they work from a western medical perspective, and who they may help.
What Is the Difference Between Acupuncture and Dry Needling?
This is probably the question I get asked most.
Both treatments involve inserting very fine, sterile needles into the body, but their purpose and application can differ.
Western Medical Acupuncture uses acupuncture needles to stimulate the nervous system, muscles, and connective tissues. While some acupuncture points overlap with those used in traditional Chinese medicine, the reasoning behind their use is based on modern anatomy, physiology, and pain science rather than concepts such as qi or meridians.
Dry Needling is specifically focused on treating muscular dysfunction. It targets tight, sensitive areas within muscles known as trigger points. The term “dry” simply means that no medication or substance is injected through the needle.
In practice, I may use one technique or a combination of both, depending on the individual’s symptoms, goals, and clinical assessment.
| Western Medical Acupuncture | Dry Needling | |
| Focus | Pain and healing mechanisms throughout the body | Specific muscles and trigger points |
| Used for | Pain management and broader musculoskeletal conditions | Muscle dysfunction and tightness |
| Targets | Local and distant areas | The affected muscle directly |
| Based on | Modern anatomy, physiology, and pain science | Muscle assessment and trigger point treatment |
How Does Western Medical Acupuncture Work?
From a western medical perspective, acupuncture works by stimulating the body’s natural pain-relieving and healing mechanisms.
Research suggests acupuncture may help by:
- Stimulating the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals such as endorphins, serotonin, and oxytocin
- Influencing how pain signals are processed within the nervous system
- Reducing muscle tension
- Improving local blood flow
- Helping to calm an overactive pain response
One commonly discussed concept is the Gate Control Theory of Pain, which suggests that stimulating certain nerve fibres can reduce the amount of pain information reaching the brain. This may help explain why some patients experience symptom relief during or shortly after treatment.
At a local level, needling can also increase circulation around sensitive or injured tissues, supporting the body’s natural healing processes.
One way I often explain it to patients is that acupuncture can encourage the body to release some of its own natural pain-relieving chemicals while helping to calm sensitive tissues.
Like most treatments we use in physiotherapy, acupuncture works best as part of a broader rehabilitation plan rather than as a standalone solution.
What Are Trigger Points?
Before understanding dry needling, it helps to understand trigger points.
You have probably experienced one before without knowing what it was called. Think about that knot between your shoulder blades after a long week at the desk, the calf that never quite feels loose no matter how much you stretch, or the shoulder tension that seems to creep up during periods of stress.
A trigger point is a hypersensitive spot within a tight band of muscle. These can develop due to injury, overuse, prolonged postures, stress, or reduced physical activity.
One thing I find interesting is that many patients are completely unaware that a muscle can refer pain somewhere else. Quite often, the area that hurts is not actually where the problem is coming from.
For example:
- Trigger points in the neck can contribute to headaches
- Trigger points in the gluteal muscles can create symptoms that mimic sciatica
- Trigger points around the shoulder can cause pain further down the arm
This is one reason why a thorough assessment is so important before deciding on any treatment.
How Does Dry Needling Work?
Dry needling involves inserting a fine needle directly into a trigger point or dysfunctional muscle.
When the needle reaches the target area, it may produce what is known as a Local Twitch Response, a brief involuntary contraction of the muscle. This can feel unusual, but it is often a sign that the muscle has been successfully stimulated.
Dry needling may help by:
- Reducing muscle tension
- Improving muscle flexibility
- Improving local circulation
- Restoring normal muscle function
- Reducing pain and sensitivity
Many patients report feeling looser, less restricted, and more comfortable following treatment.
Who Can Benefit?
Both Western Medical Acupuncture and dry needling can be useful for a wide range of conditions commonly seen in physiotherapy practice.
These include:
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Hip pain
- Knee pain
- Tendinopathies such as tennis elbow or Achilles pain
- Tension headaches and some migraines
- Sports injuries
- Muscle strains
- Running-related injuries
- Persistent muscular aches and pains
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
In clinic, I most commonly use these techniques with people struggling with neck and back pain, runners dealing with persistent niggles, golfers limited by stiffness, and patients who feel they have stopped progressing despite doing all the right things.
As with all treatments, results vary from person to person, which is why every patient is assessed individually before deciding whether needling is appropriate.
Does It Hurt?
This is usually one of the first questions people ask.
The needles used for acupuncture and dry needling are extremely fine, much thinner than those used for injections or blood tests.
Most people feel very little as the needle is inserted. Some may experience a mild ache, heaviness, warmth, or tingling sensation.
With dry needling, a twitch response can sometimes create a brief cramping sensation, similar to releasing a tight knot during a deep tissue massage. While it can feel intense for a moment, it is usually very short-lived.
After treatment, it is common to experience mild soreness for 24 to 48 hours, similar to how a muscle might feel after a workout.
Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the treatment is.
Is It Safe?
When performed by a suitably trained healthcare professional, acupuncture and dry needling are considered very safe treatments.
At Freedom Physiotherapy & Wellness Centre:
- All needles are sterile and single-use
- Strict infection control procedures are followed
- Treatment is delivered by appropriately trained physiotherapists
- A full assessment is completed before any needling takes place
Common side effects are generally mild and may include temporary soreness, mild bruising, minor bleeding at the needle site, or feeling slightly tired after treatment.
If you are pregnant, have a bleeding disorder, take anticoagulant medication, or have concerns about needles, please let your physiotherapist know so treatment can be planned appropriately.
What Should You Expect at Your First Session?
Your physiotherapist will first carry out a detailed assessment to understand your symptoms, medical history, goals, and movement patterns.
If acupuncture or dry needling is considered appropriate, everything will be explained beforehand, including what the treatment involves, what sensations you might experience, and any potential risks or side effects.
Your consent will always be obtained before treatment begins.
Many patients notice changes within the first few sessions, although this depends on the nature and duration of the problem.
Part of a Bigger Treatment Plan
If there is one thing I want patients to take away from this article, it is that Needling Is a Tool, Not a Cure.
It can be very effective for some people, but it works best when it forms part of a wider rehabilitation plan that addresses strength, movement, lifestyle factors, and the underlying cause of the problem.
At Freedom Physiotherapy & Wellness Centre, we commonly combine needling with:
- Exercise therapy
- Strength and conditioning
- Hands-on physiotherapy
- Movement retraining
- Load management advice
- Education and self-management strategies
Our aim is not simply to reduce symptoms in the short term, but to help patients build the strength, confidence, and resilience to stay active long-term.
Final Thoughts
Before doing the course, I was probably guilty of seeing acupuncture and dry needling as something that sat on the edge of physiotherapy. Having spent time learning the science, practising the techniques, and now using them in clinic, I can see the value they can offer when used appropriately and combined with good rehabilitation.
Like any treatment in physiotherapy, acupuncture and dry needling are not the answer for everyone. However, when used for the right person, at the right time, they can be a valuable addition to a rehabilitation programme and help people move forward with their recovery.
Could Acupuncture or Dry Needling Help You?
If you’re struggling with persistent pain, muscle tightness, headaches, sports injuries, or an injury that is not improving as quickly as you would like, acupuncture or dry needling may be worth considering.
To find out whether either treatment could help you, get in touch with Freedom Physiotherapy & Wellness Centre and book an assessment with one of our physiotherapists.
Bradley Heald https://freedomphysiowellness.je/staff_members/bradley/ is the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist at Freedom Physiotherapy & Wellness Centre, Little Grove Clinic, St Lawrence, Jersey. He recently completed a Foundations of Acupuncture and Dry Needling course with Breeze Academy in London.
