Fine needles placed into tight, knotted muscle to release trigger points — used by our physios alongside hands-on treatment and exercise, never on its own.
If you have been searching for dry needling near me, here is what it involves. Dry needling, which we call Western Medicine Acupuncture, uses very fine needles placed into trigger points: tight, tender knots in a muscle that refer pain elsewhere and stop the muscle relaxing. The needle often causes a brief twitch in the muscle, followed by a release of tension.
It is based on Western anatomy and physiology, not traditional Chinese medicine. At Premier Wellness it is done by our physiotherapists as one part of your physio treatment, alongside hands-on work and a rehab programme, never as a treatment on its own.
Tight upper shoulder and neck muscles from desk work, stress or poor sleep.
Muscle spasm and trigger points around the lower back and hips.
Tendon pain around the elbow, as part of a loading programme.
Tight glute and hip muscles that add to buttock and leg pain.
Calf, hamstring and shoulder problems from running, gym and team sport.
Trigger points in the neck and shoulders that feed into headaches.
Dry needling can help, but it works best as part of a plan.
Research suggests dry needling can ease muscle pain in the short term, particularly when it is combined with exercise and hands-on treatment. It is not a cure on its own, and relief from needling alone often fades if whatever keeps tightening the muscle is not dealt with. That is why our physios always pair it with a rehab plan.
It is not right for everyone. We will not needle over broken or infected skin, and we take extra care or avoid it if you take blood thinners, have a bleeding disorder, are pregnant, have a strong fear of needles or have a limb affected by lymphoedema. Tell your physio about any of these.
Most people feel a brief ache or twitch as the needle goes in, and some muscle soreness for a day or two afterwards. Small bruises can happen. If needling is not a good fit for you, your physio has plenty of other options.
You book a physio appointment, not a separate needling session.
Your physio assesses the problem first: what happened, what makes it worse, and how you move. If trigger points are part of the picture and needling suits you, they explain it and ask for your consent before using it.
Needles are sterile and single-use, left in for anything from a few seconds to several minutes, and combined with hands-on treatment and exercises you can keep doing at home. Prices, including the ACC surcharge, are on our prices page.
Dry needling with our physios at Glenfield and Orewa
Principal Physio
Principal Physio
Senior Physio
Dry needling is covered by ACC when it is part of physio treatment for a claimed injury. ACC covers a substantial part of the appointment fee and a surcharge applies on top; the amount is on our prices page. You do not need a GP referral, and we lodge new ACC claims at your first appointment. We are also a registered CareWay provider for knee, shoulder and lower back injuries. Afterpay is available, and we accept cash, EFTPOS, Visa and Mastercard.
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Book a physio appointment online or call us, and mention dry needling if you would like it considered. No GP referral needed.
