First Assessment
Free
45 minutes, at home
- Full clinical examination at the patient's home
- The likely cause explained in plain language
- A realistic recovery plan and what it will cost
- No obligation to book any further sessions
The needles used for dry needling resemble acupuncture needles, but the reasoning is different. Dry needling targets trigger points: tight bands within a muscle that are tender to press and can send pain elsewhere, for example from the top of the shoulder up into the head. No medicine is injected, which is why it is called "dry". Our dry needling therapy page explains the general method.
Knots from the ride and the counter
Riding a two-wheeler through slow traffic means the weight of a helmet on the neck, arms braced on the handlebars, and shoulders hunched for long stretches. Standing at a counter or checking a phone pulls the head forward for hours. The muscles across the tops of the shoulders and the back of the neck take that load, and some people end up with stubborn, tender knots and headaches that start at the base of the skull. Neck pain as a whole is covered on neck pain physiotherapy.
What it can and can't do
The evidence indicates that dry needling can reduce muscle pain and tenderness in the short term, particularly in the neck and shoulders, and that it works better combined with exercise and posture changes than on its own. It is not a lasting fix if the load that caused the knots stays the same. We use it alongside stretching, strengthening and practical changes, such as how you sit on the bike or how the counter is set up. It is never compulsory: myofascial release is a needle-free alternative.
Questions asked before any needling
- Do you take blood thinners, or bruise or bleed easily?
- Are you pregnant?
- Do you have diabetes, a weakened immune system or skin that heals slowly?
- Have you had lymph nodes removed, for example after breast cancer surgery?
- Are you anxious about needles, or have you fainted with them before?
Depending on the answers, needling may be adjusted, kept away from certain areas, or not used at all. Around the upper back and shoulders, needles are placed with techniques that keep them clear of the lung. Serious complications are rare but possible, so the physiotherapist explains the risks and asks for your agreement before starting.
Hygiene, and the day after
Each needle is sterile and single-use, opened in front of you, and dropped into a sealed sharps container afterwards so nothing is left behind in your home. Soreness for a day or two is common, much like after a hard workout; a warm bath and gentle movement help, and small bruises can appear. Increasing pain, breathlessness or chest pain after needling near the chest needs immediate medical attention.
There is also a dry needling page for Hirabaug. If you would like to know whether needling suits your neck or shoulder, book an assessment, or read how home visits in Swargate work.