Dry Needling

Physiotherapists place a fine needle exactly where a muscle needs to release, so everything around it can stop compensating.

When Needling Can Help

Physiotherapist performing dry needling on a client’s neck and shoulder

Muscle that locked up after an injury and hasn't loosened since

Stiffness that's started to limit what a joint will comfortably do

A knot you can find with your own thumb, or pain referred from it

Getting ahead of your tightness before it starts changing how you move.

Dry needling eases muscles that have been overworked and loosens what's gone stiff. It's usually one part of a physiotherapy session, alongside hands-on work and the exercises that follow — though you can book it on its own.

Dry needling eases muscles that have been overworked and loosens what's gone stiff. It's usually one part of a physiotherapy session, alongside hands-on work and the exercises that follow.

Muscle that locked up after an injury and hasn't loosened since

Stiffness that's started to limit what a joint will comfortably do

A knot you can find with your own thumb, or pain referred from it

Getting ahead of your tightness before it starts changing how you move.

What to expect

01

Assessment

We feel for the tightness by hand, trace where it's coming from, and weigh what to needle and how long the needles stay in.

02

Treatment

A room to yourself, and your physiotherapist attentive throughout. A small prick, then a deep ache. That's the muscle releasing, not something going wrong.

03

Afterward

Once the muscle has eased, we take the joint gently through its range, so the ordinary things get easier.

03

Afterwards

Once the muscle has eased, we take the joint gently through its range, so the ordinary things get easier.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Still not sure where to go? Our full FAQ covers booking, billing, and what to expect across every service. Or reach out and we'll point you in the right direction.

Still not sure where to go? Our full FAQ covers booking, billing, and what to expect across every service. Or reach out and we'll point you in the right direction.

How is dry needling different from acupuncture?

Both use similar fine needles, but dry needling is based on modern Western medicine and anatomy — it targets specific muscle trigger points and tight bands, rather than following traditional Chinese medicine's meridians or energy flow.

Will I be sore afterward, and how should I care for it?

Mild soreness for 24–48 hours is common, similar to an intense workout. Staying hydrated, using mild heat, and moving gently helps it clear faster.

How fast will I see results, and how many sessions do I need?

Many clients notice looser movement right after the first session. Lasting relief usually takes a few sessions – often somewhere in the 4–6 range, depending on whether it's a new issue or one that's been around a while.

Is dry needling covered by extended health insurance?

Yes – it's billed under standard physiotherapy coverage with most major insurers, whether it's part of a broader session or booked on its own.

Father playing with his two young daughters on a sunny lawn

We'd love to help you move better.

We'd love to help you move better.

Other Treatments We Offer

Multiple disciplines all in one clinic, so your care never has to be handed off. If you're not sure this is the right place to start, book a physiotherapy assessment. Needling can still happen on the day.

Multiple disciplines all in one clinic, so your care can be more comprehensive. If you're not sure this is the right place to start, book a physiotherapy assessment.

FIND A CLINIC

Kitsilano

3303 West 4th Ave, Vancouver BC, V6R 1N6

UBC Wesbrook Village

#6-5958 Webber Lane (Second Floor) Vancouver, BC V6S 0J9

Join the PhysioWorks Community

Be the first to hear about wellness tips, clinic news, workshops, and resources to help you stay active.

Grateful to live, work, and play on the unceded Coast Salish territory of the sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

FIND A CLINIC

Kitsilano

3303 West 4th Ave, Vancouver BC, V6R 1N6

UBC Wesbrook Village

#6-5958 Webber Lane (Second Floor) Vancouver, BC V6S 0J9

Join the PhysioWorks Community

Be the first to hear about wellness tips, clinic news, workshops, and resources to help you stay active.

Grateful to live, work, and play on the unceded Coast Salish territory of the sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

FIND A CLINIC

Kitsilano

3303 West 4th Ave, Vancouver BC, V6R 1N6

UBC Wesbrook Village

#6-5958 Webber Lane (Second Floor) Vancouver, BC V6S 0J9

Join the PhysioWorks Community

Be the first to hear about wellness tips, clinic news, workshops, and resources to help you stay active.

Grateful to live, work, and play on the unceded Coast Salish territory of the sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.