Dry needling is a skilled intervention used by physiotherapists that uses a thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and simulate underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular and connective tissues for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments. A trigger point describes a taut band of skeletal muscle located within a larger muscle group. Trigger points can be tender to touch and can refer pain to distant parts of the body. Physiotherapists utilise dry needling with the goal of releasing/inactivating the trigger points and relieving pain. Preliminary research supports that dry needling improves pain control, reduces muscle tension, normalises biochemical and electrical dysfunction of motor endplates and facilitates an accelerated return to active rehabilitation.

​