What is dry needling?
If a knot of muscle tension won’t let go no matter how much you stretch it, dry needling can reach what hands can’t. It uses thin filiform needles (the same kind used in acupuncture) to release trigger points in skeletal muscle. The needle goes into a tight band of muscle to provoke a local twitch response, after which the muscle typically softens and the pain decreases.
Despite using the same needle, dry needling is not acupuncture. The framework is musculoskeletal, not traditional Chinese medicine: needles are placed based on a physical assessment of where the muscle is dysfunctional, not on meridian points.
When dry needling can help
- Persistent muscle tightness that hasn’t responded to stretching or massage
- Chronic neck and upper-back tension with palpable trigger points
- Tendinopathies where the surrounding muscle is involved
- Post-injury muscle guarding that limits progress in rehab
Dry needling is not a standalone treatment. It’s a tool used alongside manual therapy, movement work, and a progressive exercise program.
What a session feels like
The needles are very thin, so insertion itself is usually barely felt. When the needle reaches an active trigger point, you may feel a brief twitch and a cramping sensation that fades within seconds. Mild soreness for a day or two afterward is normal.
Is it safe?
In trained hands, dry needling has a strong safety record. Your therapist will ask about anatomy-relevant medications (anticoagulants), pregnancy, and any conditions that change the risk profile before proceeding.
Insurance
We offer direct billing to major private insurers. Ask when you book.
Conditions we treat with this service
-
Neck Pain
Stiff neck, tension headaches, and pain that radiates into the shoulder or arm. Common in desk workers and after motor-vehicle injuries.
-
Back Pain
From mechanical low-back pain to disc-related symptoms. Most back pain responds well to assessment, hands-on care, and a graded exercise plan.
-
Tendinitis
Pain and dysfunction at a tendon from repetitive loading. Often called tendinopathy, the modern term that better fits what's happening in the tissue.
-
Sports Injuries
Acute and overuse injuries from training and competition. Assessment, treatment, and return-to-sport progression in one place.
Where to find us
Omnicure Physio is in Roxboro, in the West Island of Montreal. A tight-knit team guides you from your first assessment through discharge.
4507 Boulevard des SourcesRoxboro, QC H8Y 3C3
(514) 313-6877
Frequently asked
- Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
- No. Dry needling targets muscular trigger points based on a Western musculoskeletal assessment. It uses thin needles like acupuncture but rests on a different framework.
- Do I need a doctor’s referral?
- No. In Quebec, you can book physiotherapy, kinesiology, or massage therapy directly, without a referral. Some insurance plans may require a referral to reimburse you. Check with your insurer.
- What languages do you offer care in?
- Our team treats in French, English, Arabic, and Cantonese.