Dry
Needling
in Barrhaven
Intramuscular stimulation to release stubborn trigger points and reduce chronic muscle pain — particularly effective for conditions that have not responded to other treatments.
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling — also known as intramuscular stimulation (IMS) — is a technique in which a fine, sterile needle is inserted directly into a myofascial trigger point: a tight, hyperirritable band within a muscle that causes local pain and often refers pain to other areas of the body.
The needle provokes a local twitch response — a brief, involuntary contraction of the muscle — which resets the trigger point, reduces muscle tension, and restores normal blood flow to the area. The result is often an immediate reduction in tightness and referred pain that can be difficult to achieve through manual therapy alone.
At Therapua Physiotherapy & Rehab in Barrhaven, dry needling is performed by a registered physiotherapist with advanced training in IMS. It is always integrated into a broader treatment plan — addressing the movement and loading factors that caused the trigger points to develop in the first place.
Patients from Barrhaven, Nepean, and the Strandherd–Fallowfield area who have been dealing with chronic muscle tightness, recurring headaches, or pain that has not responded to other treatments often find dry needling to be the missing piece in their recovery.
Conditions We Treat
Dry needling is most effective for conditions with a significant myofascial component — chronic tightness, trigger points, and referred pain patterns.
What Happens in a Session
Sessions are one-on-one with your physiotherapist at our Barrhaven clinic and typically last 45–60 minutes.
Trigger Point Identification
Your physiotherapist palpates the affected muscles to locate active trigger points — tight, hyperirritable bands of muscle that refer pain and restrict movement.
Needle Insertion
A fine, sterile needle is inserted directly into the trigger point. A brief local twitch response — a quick involuntary muscle contraction — is the target response and indicates the trigger point is being released.
Release & Withdrawal
The needle is manipulated gently to achieve the twitch response, then withdrawn. The process is repeated across all active trigger points in the treatment area.
Post-Needling Therapy
Gentle stretching, soft tissue work, and movement exercises follow needling to reinforce the release and restore normal muscle function before you leave the clinic.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Dry needling often produces noticeable results quickly. Most patients experience a meaningful reduction in tightness and pain within 2–4 sessions. A typical course:
- —Acute trigger points: 2–4 sessions
- —Chronic myofascial pain: 4–8 sessions combined with manual therapy and exercise
- —Maintenance: Periodic sessions as needed if trigger points recur with training load
Dry needling alone without addressing the underlying movement and loading factors tends to produce only temporary relief. Your physiotherapist will ensure the full picture is addressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Release the Tension. Book Today.
Same-day appointments available. No referral needed. Serving Barrhaven, Nepean, and the Strandherd–Fallowfield area.