Massage Therapy · Dry Needling
Release stubborn tensionat the trigger point
Dry needling uses fine, sterile needles to release tight bands of muscle that hands-on massage can't always reach — a precise, evidence-informed technique for stubborn pain.
- Session length
- 60 minutes
- From
- $115
- Health fund
- Claimable on most extras
- Where
- Hamlyn Heights
What it is
A Western technique — not acupuncture
Dry needling is grounded in Western anatomy and trigger point science, not traditional Chinese medicine. A very fine needle is inserted directly into a myofascial trigger point — a taut, irritable band of muscle — prompting it to release. It's a different practice from acupuncture, with a different purpose: releasing specific muscles that are driving your pain.
Most people feel a brief twitch or deep ache as the trigger point releases, followed by a noticeable easing of tension. It's quick, targeted, and often reaches what massage alone cannot.
Often helps with
- Chronic neck and shoulder tension
- Lower back pain
- Tension headaches
- Sports injuries and tight muscle bands
- Pain that keeps returning after massage
When dry needling earns its place
Chronic muscle tension
01Knots in the neck, shoulders or back that massage loosens but never quite clears.
Direct trigger point release that reaches the taut bands hands can't fully resolve.
Tension headaches
02Headaches driven by tight upper trapezius and neck muscles.
Releasing the specific trigger points that refer pain up into the head.
Sports injuries
03Tight, overloaded muscles that limit training and slow recovery.
Precise release to restore muscle function, integrated with massage and cupping.
Persistent lower back pain
04Deep gluteal and lumbar tension that flares with sitting or lifting.
Needling deeper stabilising muscles alongside hands-on treatment of the whole area.
Our approach
Included in your massage, always your choice
Dry needling isn't booked as a separate appointment here — it's offered within your remedial massage session, at your discretion and at no additional cost. If a stubborn trigger point would respond better to a needle than to pressure, Alanna will explain why and ask first.
Every session starts with assessment and informed consent. Single-use sterile needles, careful technique, and a practitioner who talks you through each step — especially if it's your first time.
Your journey
How we work with you
Listening to your story
A comprehensive 60-minute initial consultation — your history, lifestyle, and goals, heard properly before anything is prescribed.
Comprehensive testing
Where it adds clarity, functional testing builds the full picture — so your plan rests on evidence, not guesswork.
A personalised plan
Diet and lifestyle first, herbal and nutritional support where needed — a plan built for your life, not a template.
Ongoing support
Email support within 24–48 hours and follow-ups every 2–4 weeks, adjusting as your body responds.
Good to know
Questions, answered
The needle insertion itself is usually barely felt — the needles are much finer than injection needles. When a trigger point releases you may feel a brief twitch or a deep, dull ache, and the area can feel tender or heavy for a day or so afterwards, similar to post-exercise soreness. Most people find it very tolerable, and we always work within your comfort.
Curious whether dry needling could help?
Book a remedial massage and we'll assess together — dry needling is included within your session at no extra cost, only ever with your consent.