Toorak Village Podiatry now offers dry needling as a treatment for musculoskeletal pain inluding plantar heel pain.

Why would we use dry needling?

Dry needling can be used to reduce muscle pain and improve range of motion at joints in the foot and leg.

What is dry needling?

Dry needling is acupuncture and is used to influence pain and improve function. Dry needling has been found to be effective for plantar heel pain.*

What is Involved?

1. The clinician identifies a myofascial trigger point, which is a hyperirritable spot with pain on compression and/ or referred pain.
2. Once the trigger point has been identified, the skin is prepared using an antiseptic wipe.
3. Between 2 to 8 acupuncture needles are then inserted into the muscle. Patients will feel a tap as the needles are inserted.
4. The needles are left in place for 5-10 minutes

What are the benefits?

• Reduction of muscle pain
• Reduction of heel pain
• Improved range of motion

What are the possible side effects?

• Needling site pain
• Slight bruising and bleeding
• Post treatment soreness/ache is possible for 1-2 days

Care after dry needling

You may need to initially modify activities for a couple of days. Your podiatrist may also instruct you on stretching a couple of days after. If you have any concerns please call Toorak Village Podiatry.

*Cotchett et al. Effectiveness of trigger point dry needling for plantar heel pain: a randomised controlled trial. Phys Ther 2014; 94(8): 1083-94.