Dry Needling: How This Powerful Therapy Relieves Pain and Restores Movement

If you’ve ever struggled with muscle tightness, chronic pain, or movement restrictions, you may have tried everything—massage, stretching, and even painkillers—with little relief. Enter dry needling, a scientifically-backed technique that directly targets muscle tension and dysfunction. At Movement: Physiotherapy and Fitness in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, we use dry needling to help expats and locals aged 30 to 60 recover from pain and regain mobility faster.

What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a trigger point therapy that uses thin, sterile needles inserted into muscle knots (also called myofascial trigger points). Unlike acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine, dry needling is rooted in Western medical science and is specifically designed to relieve pain and restore movement.

How It Works

• The needle stimulates tight or dysfunctional muscle fibers, causing them to relax and reset.
• It increases blood flow to the area, promoting faster healing.
• It releases endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
• It reduces muscle tension and improves movement patterns.

How Dry Needling Relieves Pain and Enhances Mobility

✅ 1. Releases Muscle Knots (Trigger Points)

• Knotted muscles can cause referred pain (pain felt in a different area of the body).
• Dry needling directly releases these knots, reducing pain instantly.

✅ 2. Improves Range of Motion

• Chronic tightness limits flexibility and movement.
• Dry needling restores normal muscle function, allowing for smoother, pain-free movement.

✅ 3. Speeds Up Recovery from Injuries

• Needling triggers increased blood flow and oxygenation to injured tissues.
• Speeds up healing for sports injuries, postural imbalances, and overuse syndromes.

✅ 4. Reduces Chronic Pain Conditions

• Conditions like back pain, neck pain, and headaches are often caused by myofascial trigger points.
• Dry needling helps reset the nervous system, reducing chronic pain signals.

When to Use Dry Needling?

Dry needling is an effective treatment for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions:

🔹 Muscle tightness & spasms – Ideal for overworked muscles that won’t relax.
🔹 Chronic pain – Perfect for conditions like fibromyalgia, tension headaches, and sciatica.
🔹 Postural imbalances – If poor posture has caused tension in your back, shoulders, or neck.
🔹 Sports injuries – Helps athletes recover from strains, sprains, and repetitive stress injuries.
🔹 Joint pain – Can improve mobility for conditions like knee pain or shoulder impingements.

Is Dry Needling Painful?

Most clients describe dry needling as a mild pinching or twitch response, followed by deep muscle relaxation. Some soreness may occur for 24-48 hours, similar to post-workout muscle fatigue, but this is a normal response as the muscles recover and reset.

How Dry Needling Fits into Our Treatment Plans at Movement?

At Movement: Physiotherapy and Fitness in Phnom Penh, we don’t just treat pain—we fix the root cause. Dry needling is just one tool in our comprehensive approach to rehabilitation.

Step 1: Assessment & Diagnosis

We perform a detailed movement analysis to identify muscle imbalances, restrictions, and pain patterns.

Step 2: Dry Needling Application

We use dry needling only where needed to release trigger points and restore normal muscle function.

Step 3: Corrective Exercise & Rehabilitation

Once the muscle is released, we guide you through specific stretches and exercises to maintain improvements and prevent pain from returning.

Who Should Avoid Dry Needling?

Although dry needling is safe, it is not suitable for everyone. Avoid dry needling if you:
❌ Have a needle phobia or severe anxiety about needles.
❌ Have bleeding disorders or take blood thinners.
❌ Are pregnant, as certain points may induce contractions.
❌ Have an active skin infection at the treatment site.

Why Choose Movement for Dry Needling in Phnom Penh?

✔ Internationally Certified Physiotherapists – Our team is trained in advanced dry needling techniques.
✔ Personalized Treatment Plans – We combine dry needling with manual therapy, exercise therapy, and posture correction for lasting results.
✔ Trusted by Expats & Locals – Serving ages 30 to 60 in Phnom Penh who want expert care.
✔ State-of-the-Art Facility – Clean, modern, and equipped for high-quality rehabilitation.

📚 Sources

1. National Institute of Health – Dry Needling for Pain Relief
2. Mayo Clinic – How Dry Needling Works
3. Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy – Benefits of Dry Needling
4. American Physical Therapy Association – Dry Needling Guidelines

Final Thoughts

Dry needling is a powerful tool, but it works best when combined with expert physiotherapy, movement analysis, and corrective exercises. If you’re in Phnom Penh and struggling with pain or limited mobility, our team at Movement is here to help!