A modern, western approach to acupuncture, dry needling stimulates neural pathways via the penetration of a needle

This triggers a nervous system response to reduce pain and enhance recovery.

MVP Physiotherapists Damon Voss, Andre Dippenaar and Liz Johnson are highly skilled in dry needling and have helped thousands of patients just like you to get out of pain.

What’s the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?

Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years, while dry needling is a relatively new approach.

The technique is similar yet different - dry needling therapists place the needles deeper than acupuncturists, manipulating the area to elicit a twitch response that brings healing and relief.

Whereas, acupuncturists insert the needles to a shallower depth (depending on the part of the body), which elicits a slow muscle release.

Both ultimately use these needles to penetrate trigger points (hyperirritable places along the muscle that cause pain or tenderness when pressed).

Dry needling involves more localised needle insertion, while acupuncturists will insert needles in the affected area as well as across the body, such as in the hands and/or feet.

Another key difference is the amount of time required to elicit the healing response. Research has shown that dry needling is effective in as little as five minutes, while acupuncture requires the needles to be left in for at least half an hour.

For this reason, Principal Physiotherapist Damon Voss combines his acupuncture background with his dry needling experience to use the best of both techniques when managing his patients.

Since dry needling only takes five minutes, patients can experience the immense benefits of this technique without neglecting the hands-on and exercise treatment components of their recovery.