Dry needling is a specialised form of trigger point therapy that relieves muscle tension, reduces sensitivity, and restores function. Using very fine, sterile needles to target muscle bands, many of our clients experience relief within 24 hours to a few days.
Hand Therapy Experts specialises in dry needling in Sydney, an effective treatment for upper limb conditions, muscle pain, and overuse injuries. Our services are available at our North Shore hand therapy clinic and Northern Beaches hand therapy clinic.
With a 4.9-star review rating, Accredited Hand Therapist Chen Li has over ten years of experience in treating chronic pain, sports injuries, and work-related conditions like tennis elbow and RSI with physio dry needling.
Book your appointment in minutes at our North Sydney or Cromer locations; open weekdays, weekends, and for emergencies.
Or Call 1300 334 263.
Dry needling is a treatment used by experienced hand therapists and allied healthcare practitioners to target and treat musculoskeletal pain and reduce swelling.
We identify ‘myofascial trigger points‘ which are the areas that cause symptoms such as pain, muscle stiffness or discomfort that travels to other body areas.
Once trigger points are identified, a very fine needle is inserted into the tight muscle. The goal is to help the muscle relax, reduce pain, and improve blood flow by calming the nervous system and releasing muscular tension.
This treatment is often combined with other hand therapy treatments like specific exercises to target problem areas, massage therapy to ease out knots and splinting (if needed).
In some cases, it can be more effective than a traditional massage because it’s able to target deeper layers of muscle unreachable by manual techniques alone.
A very fine needle is inserted into tight muscles or trigger points. This may cause a brief muscle twitch, which feels like a small muscle cramp.
This helps release tension, relax shortened muscles and restore muscle function.
Pain isn’t always caused where it’s felt, as it can actually be referred from trigger points elsewhere in your body.
That’s why at Hand Therapy Experts, we thoroughly assess your symptoms to locate the true source of your discomfort and put a plan together for the best treatment accordingly.
The Quick Answer: No, these treatments are fundamentally different, despite both using fine needles to treat pain. See the main difference between dry needling vs acupuncture in our comparison table on the right.
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No matter which clinic you visit in Sydney, we have developed a process that is designed to make clients feel comfortable, informed, and confident in a speedy recovery. Here’s what to expect during your appointment:
After your treatment, some of our patients experience soreness, similar to what you’d experience after an intense workout. This feeling is completely normal and is a positive sign that your muscles have started to respond to dry needling treatment and have started to heal. Here are some aftercare tips on what to expect after you have completed your treatment program.
Immediate (Same Day): Some of our clients will feel some relief right away, others might feel achy or sore; this is to be expected.
24-48 Hours: Patients usually see a big improvement in pain and movement. Any soreness from before should now start to fade.
2-4 Sessions: Full therapeutic benefits typically appear. Our Hand Therapist will check in with you and monitor progress.
How Long It Lasts: Results vary based on your condition-acute injuries may resolve in 2-4 sessions, while chronic conditions may need 6-8 sessions for lasting relief.
Our aim at Hand Therapy Experts is to get our clients back to their best through an affordable treatment program. When you book with us, we don’t just treat your current condition; we go one step further to empower our clients with the knowledge to prevent future injuries, so they can manage their condition confidently.
Our holistic approach to your treatment combines evidence-based trigger point dry needling techniques with years of training to offer a comprehensive solution, providing the highest quality healthcare service in Sydney.
You’ll be in good hands with Chen Li, a specialist in treating all types of upper limb injuries. What sets Chen apart from a general physio clinic is that she takes the time to understand each client and tailor a treatment plan specifically to their needs – even during emergencies.
Whether you’re struggling with muscle aches, a sports injury, or a flare-up that’s disrupting your daily life, Hand Therapy Experts offer same-day and urgent appointments at both our clinics.
Our caring practitioners will work with you to determine the exact causes and decide if physiotherapy dry needling is the right treatment for you.
You won’t need a referral from your GP, so book directly and skip walk-in centre queues – be seen within 24 hours, on weekends, or even sooner.
Or call 1300 33 HAND
Yes, it reduces myofascial pain or trigger point pain if the correct muscles are targeted. Treatment also needs to be complemented with correct exercises to strengthen weak muscles and wear any required braces (we can help with custom braces).
When the needle releases a trigger point or tight muscle, it will cause a muscle twitch which can feel like sharp pain. Once the needle is removed and after 1-2 days, the pain should improve.
It may take 1-2 days for the treatment to take effect. In some cases, it may take up to 3 dry needling sessions.
You may experience muscle soreness for 1-2 days, fatigue and some bruising over the affected area. Some patients may also experience vasovagal reaction or fainting. To reduce risk of fainting, we treat patients lying down if it’s their first session.
Yes. It’s a safe therapeutic technique, given your medical history doesn’t include any contraindications to you receiving dry needling treatment. If you are unsure, please discuss with your health provider.
Contraindications to dry needling include patients with local infection, bleeding disorders, first trimester pregnancy, axillary node dissection, joint replacements, heart valve replacement, receiving cancer treatment, those who have recently donated blood, and needle phobia.
Initial consultations are $165. An additional fee of $5-10 may apply, depending on the number of needles used during the treatment.
If you have a GPCCMP (GP Chronic Condition Management Plan) for physiotherapy sessions, Medicare may cover $61.80 part of the consultation fee. You are required to pay a gap fee after the Medicare rebate.
Be seen today by Accredited Hand Therapist Chen Li at our Sydney clinics – North Shore or Northern Beaches clinic. Book online now or contact us directly.
📍 Mater Clinic, Suite G02, 3 Gillies Street, Wollstonecraft NSW 2065
Servicing North Sydney, Neutral Bay, Mosman, Crows Nest, and surrounding suburbs.
📍 24 Middleton Road, Cromer NSW 2099
Located within Manly Warringah Gymnastics Club and Warringah Physio
Servicing Dee Why, Collaroy, Narrabeen, Manly, and surrounding suburbs.
