Effective Dry Needling Physio Treatment in Singapore

Is persistent stiff muscle or joint pain affecting your daily life? Don’t let persistent stiff muscle or joint pain hold you back from living your life to the fullest. No one deserves to be limited by discomfort. Seek the care you need with therapies like dry needling to manage your discomfort and ensure you can enjoy every moment without limitations.

Meet Our Dry Needling Therapist

hong-kai's profile photo

At Benchmark Physio, our dry needling sessions are spearheaded by Ng Hong Kai. A GEMt Advanced Dry Needling Practitioner, Hong Kai shares an unwavering passion for the field and has over a decade of experience in dry needling and musculoskeletal physiotherapy.

As the Clinic Director and Chief Physiotherapist, Hong Kai’s commitment to quality care is also evident through his extensive credentials. Under Hong Kai’s guidance, you can be assured of receiving treatments rooted in expertise, experience, and genuine passion for your wellbeing. 

Ready to embark on a journey towards better musculoskeletal health free from pain? Schedule your consultation with us today.

Understanding Dry Needling Treatment

Dry needling is the insertion of monofilament needles into muscle trigger points to restore normal blood flow, flush out acidic buildup, relieves muscle tension and promotes the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain-relievers.

Opting for dry needling at Benchmark Physio may provide several advantages:

  • Improved circulation: Dry needling promotes the widening of blood vessels to potentially boost circulation.
  • Pain relief: The enhanced blood flow facilitates waste removal and nutrient delivery, providing some level of pain relief.
  • Reduces inflammation: With enhanced blood circulation, immune system components can arrive quicker at the affected tissue to potentially reduce inflammation and expedite healing.
  • Reduced muscle tightness: By potentially easing muscle knots and addressing trigger points, dry needling may reduce muscle tightness, enhance flexibility and boost your range of movement.

While dry needling and acupuncture utilise needles, their foundational philosophies and objectives differ substantially. Acupuncture, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, focuses on balancing energy flow by inserting needles to harmonise the body's internal dynamics.

In contrast, dry needling is anchored in Western medicine. It emphasises a structural understanding and targets dysfunctional muscle tissue precisely with needles based on a detailed knowledge of the patient's anatomy and neurology. The treatment intent is to manage pain and dysfunction, and it is often integrated into a comprehensive physio regimen.

You can also learn more about the differences between dry needling and acupuncture on our blog.

What Types of Conditions Can Be Addressed with Dry Needling?

Dry needling may address trigger-point-related lower back pain by potentially pinpointing and releasing tension in troubled areas. It may also be particularly effective when combined with treatments, such as back physio.

Dry needling could address trigger-point-related lower back pain by potentially pinpointing and releasing tension in troubled areas. It may be particularly effective when combined with treatments, such as  shoulder physio.

Dry needling may address the pain sources of headaches and migraines. When complemented by physio, which offers posture guidance and stress management tips, you may be better equipped to prevent future occurrences.

For athletes, such as runners and rhythmic cyclists, dry needling may speed up recovery by potentially alleviating tension and training-related knee, ankle and foot conditions, such as:

  • Plantar Fasciitis;
  • Shin Splints;
  • Achilles Tendinopathy.

To potentially expedite your recovery from painful musculoskeletal issues, incorporating dry needling treatments alongside other ankle physiotherapy or knee physiotherapy is advised.

Why Choose Benchmark Physio for Dry Needling Treatment?

Living with pain can profoundly impact your holistic wellbeing, making it crucial that you choose a trusted clinic in Singapore for your dry needling to accelerate your recovery. Whether you’re experiencing discomfort from an injury or simply seeking some level of relief from everyday muscle tension, dry needling may provide results.

Aside from addressing regular aches and pains, dry needling may be especially beneficial for athletes and active individuals like runners. This is because dry needling may help enhance performance, prevent injuries, and potentially speed up recovery from muscle strains or overuse injuries. 

From dry needling to physiotherapy and sports massage, we offer comprehensive services to empower you to live a pain-free life. Our commitment extends to our adoption of an evidence-based treatment approach, which ensures that our clients receive treatments aligned with the industry’s recommended practices.

What is included in Benchmark Physio’s Dry Needling Sessions?

Benchmark Physio’s dry needling sessions are designed to address a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. We understand the importance of transparency, which is why we offer our dry needling sessions for $190, providing you with a 30-minute session of pain and muscle tension management. During your session at Benchmark Physio, you can expect the following key components from our sessions:

  1. In-Depth Assessment: Our experienced physiotherapists start each session by thoroughly evaluating your condition. We will discuss your medical history, symptoms, and goals to gain a comprehensive understanding of your condition. A physical exam identifies specific trigger points, muscle tightness, and areas of discomfort that may benefit from dry needling.
  2. Customised Treatment Plan: Based on the assessment findings, we will create a tailored dry needling plan targeting the exact muscles and trigger points for your needs. This personalised approach aims to ensure the most effective treatment.
  3. Proper Dry Needling Technique: The core of our sessions involves carefully inserting thin, sterile needles into the trigger points in your muscles. This aims to release tension, potentially improve circulation, and encourage some level of natural healing. The needles remain in place briefly to achieve these potential benefits.
  4. Patient Comfort and Safety: Your comfort is our top priority. You may feel some mild muscle sensation during needling, but we will ensure that you remain at ease. Dry needling may provide drug-free pain relief for muscle issues, chronic pain, injuries, and more.
  5. Post-Treatment Guidance: After dry needling, we will provide instructions on care, exercises, and stretches to complement the therapy. We also discuss expected outcomes, potential side effects, and precautions with you to ensure that you achieve a speedy recovery.
  6. Ongoing Support: Your long-term wellbeing matters to us. We offer follow-ups to monitor progress, adjust your plan if needed, and provide continuous support on your road to recovery.

Complementary Exercises for Addressing Pain

Alongside dry needling, your physiotherapist may suggest a variety of other exercises and movements to perform at home. These will be tailored to your recovery goals and the location of your pain. In general, these exercises will fall into the following categories:

  • Stretching: Gentle stretching exercises can help to improve your range of motion, reduce muscle tightness, and alleviate pain. Your physiotherapist may guide you through stretches for the muscles surrounding the affected area.
  • Strengthening: Strengthening exercises help build muscle support around the painful area, improving stability and reducing stress on the affected structures. Your physiotherapist might recommend exercises targeting specific muscle groups related to your pain.
  • Mobility exercises: These exercises aim to enhance joint movement and coordination, improving your overall function and reducing stiffness in the affected area.
  • Functional exercises: These exercises mimic everyday movements, helping you regain the ability to perform daily activities with ease and reducing pain associated with those movements.

Contact Us to Learn About Dry Needling and Physiotherapy

Get in touch via our contact form below or WhatsApp us!

    Frequently Asked Questions About Dry Needling and Physiotherapy

    To address mild discomfort, the dry needling needle might be inserted briefly. Meanwhile, addressing intense pain may necessitate 10 to 15 minutes of needle placement.

    Soreness may last up to 72 hours after your dry needling session, but not everyone experiences this.

    While most patients don't experience side effects from dry needling, the few that do typically face mild reactions, including the following:

    • Temporary pain within 24 – 48 hours.
    • Minor bruising.
    • Fatigue.
    • Minor skin reactions like red spots.

    Dry needling may provide some level of pain relief immediately. However, two to three sessions are usually required to experience sustained results.

    Dry needling is generally safe with minimal risks, especially when performed by a skilled practitioner like those on our team at Benchmark Physio.

    No specific preparation is needed for dry needling. Just wear relaxed clothing that’s easy to adjust to facilitate access to the treatment areas.

    In most cases, pain is completely alleviated after individuals undergo two or three dry needling sessions. However, patients with chronic pain may require five to six sessions.

    Yes. Using dry needling alongside other treatments, such as physiotherapy for neck pain, can even enhance treatment efficacy.

    Yes, only single-use, sterile needles are inserted during dry needling and discarded once your session is completed.

    For optimal healing after a dry needling session:

    • Use heat, not ice, for soreness and bruising relief.
    • Gentle exercise helps, but avoid overexertion and stop if discomfort arises.
    • Skip alcohol to prevent dehydration and ensure proper hydration to minimise soreness and symptoms.

    Many health insurance schemes include physiotherapy coverage. However, whether dry needling is included under your coverage varies between insurance policies. It is advisable to contact your insurance company to clarify the details.

    Dry needling may provide some level of relief from chronic pain by reconditioning muscles over successive treatments. This disrupts the cycle of pain, leading to restored muscle and nerve functionality.

    Yes, athletes may use dry needling to potentially boost recovery, reduce their risk of injury, and elevate performance levels.

    Dry needling is believed to result in the widening of small blood vessels, leading to heightened blood flow and oxygen supply to the muscles.

    Yes, dry needling is not advised for individuals who meet any of the following conditions:

    • Have an infection.
    • Pregnancy.
    • Taking blood thinners or having bleeding disorders.
    • Have a compromised immune system.
    • Diabetes.
    • Epilepsy.
    • Lymphedema.
    • Vascular disease.

    Benchmark Physio's physiotherapist is a GEMt Certified Dry Needling Practitioner.