Acupuncture & Dry Needling
in Brisbane
Acupuncture is a technique that uses thin needles inserted into specific parts of the body, with the potential to reduce pain and discomfort.
Acupuncture offers a natural and holistic approach to healthcare that can help people manage a wide range of symptoms and conditions. In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is believed to promote the body’s natural healing by encouraging an unimpeded flow of circulation through the body.
With over 15 years of experience working in remedial therapy, our therapists use acupuncture in our Brisbane clinic as part of treatment plans for patients with:
- musculoskeletal complaints
- tight neck and shoulders from sitting at a desk
- headaches
- acute pain
- chronic, recurring conditions
- stress from tough work environments
- general health concerns
- women’s and men’s health issues
- functional digestive disorders
- However, not all of our acupuncture clients come to our clinic to seek treatment for pain. We are part of a wonderful community of weightlifters, and we very often see competitive athletes who seek acupuncture as part of their physical performance or recovery process.
At Bowen Hills Acupuncture and Remedial Therapies, we apply acupuncture according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine and modern anatomical theory. Ken is a registered acupuncturist with training in:
- motor point acupuncture
- trigger point dry needling
We offer both acupuncture and dry needling in our Brisbane acupuncture clinic.
Our acupuncturists offer a results-focused service with the aim of resolving your problems in the most efficient way, ultimately aiming to see improvement within the course of your treatment. Within our small, specialty clinic there is only one treatment room, allowing us to exclusively dedicate our time to you during your treatment session.
We take a dynamic approach to treatment, often using different modalities within a treatment session. A treatment session for musculoskeletal issues can involve changing positions to treat multiple areas of the body, as well as active movement or passive stretching to release tension and determine the receptiveness of the treatment.
We put a strong emphasis on continually researching complex conditions and new treatment approaches, regularly undergoing further education and training. Even with 15 years of experience, it is vital to stay up to date to offer all of our clients the best possible treatment.
What to Expect
In your initial consultation with our Brisbane acupuncturists, they will assess your current health goals and conditions to create your ongoing treatment plan.
After this assessment, and depending on your needs and preferences, our acupuncturists may suggest acupuncture or dry needling as part of your treatment plan, which may also include remedial massage or cupping.
Are acupuncture and dry needling the same?
The Standard International Acupuncture Nomenclature defines dry needling, also known as trigger point needling, as a subset of acupuncture. In fact, the current practice of acupuncture and dry needling involve the same biological mechanism, the same or similar points and needling techniques, and the same needles.
You can learn more about the similarities and differences between the two in our blog.
How long will my session take?
All of our treatment sessions are approximately one hour long. This includes consultation, assessment, and any remedial therapies provided. Alongside acupuncture, other modalities such as cupping are typically applied. You can find out more about the length and cost of our sessions on our bookings page.
Do you offer acupuncture and dry needling near me?
Our clinic is located in a central northern inner city location, a short drive from Brisbane City, Spring Hill Fortitude Valley, New Farm, Hamilton, Newmarket, Bowen Hills, Windsor, and Ascot.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture uses very fine needles which makes the insertion very smooth and generally painless. These needles are very different to the hypodermic needles that most patients know from bloodtaking or vaccinations. We use needles that are 0.20 – 0.30mm in diameter.
After the needles are in place, you may feel warmth, heaviness, or mild tingling around the site. In our clinic, we use a lot of electrostimulation to restore proper muscle function and many of our clients love the pulsating sensation through their muscles.
What should I wear to my appointment?
As acupuncture and supporting treatment modalities are applied to the bare skin, you’ll need to remove clothing from the area that will be treated so that the practitioner can access the muscles and tissue underneath.
Acupuncture may be applied to the four limbs, torso, head and neck as required. Some patients choose to wear shorts or even bring a pair of shorts to quickly change from work clothes, others just remove outer garments are draped with towels.
What should I do after acupuncture or dry needling?
A lot of people who get acupuncture or dry needling treatment choose to take time to rest shortly after their appointment, avoiding working out or other activities that can cause muscle strain, like sitting or standing in one position for hours. However, there is no actual damage in engaging your muscles after the treatment.
How does acupuncture work?
There have been many studies that explore acupuncture and how it works at a physiological level. The primary focus of this research has been on the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture. However, acupuncture has been found to have a wide range of other physiological effects, including modifying:
bladder pressure
gastric acidity and motility
cardiovascular functions
and more
This research shows that one of the most frequent effects of acupuncture is regulating the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
The parasympathetic nervous system is a part of our body that helps us to relax and rest. It’s like a brake pedal for our body that helps slow down our heart rate, breathing, and digestion. When we feel calm and safe, the parasympathetic nervous system helps us feel even more relaxed and comfortable.
The parasympathetic nervous system slows down our heart rate, breathing, and digestion, and helps us feel calm and safe. Acupuncture can help regulate this balance and increase the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to relaxation, improved sleep, and better digestion.
Acupuncture in Northside Brisbane
At Bowen Hills Acupuncture and Remedial Therapies, we are positioned on the northside of Brisbane – not too far away from the CBD. This makes it convenient for people all around the city to book an appointment with our expert acupuncturists. We strive to make our services as accessible as possible to the athletes and other people who need them the most.
Acupuncture Benefits and Training
Active trigger points can have a significant negative impact on muscle strength and sports performance. When a muscle has an active trigger point, the muscle is in a state of constant contraction, which can lead to a reduced ability to generate force and power. The muscle may also be less flexible, which can limit range of motion and the ability to engage in certain activities.
Active trigger points can cause pain and discomfort, which can further limit performance. Pain can make it difficult to focus, reduce motivation, and decrease endurance. It can also impact mobility and coordination, making it harder to execute complex movements.
Overall, active trigger points can reduce muscle strength, flexibility, and endurance and make it harder to perform at a high level in sports and other activities. Trigger point release through acupuncture or other treatment methods can help improve muscle function and ultimately improve sports performance.
Acupuncture including electroacupuncture can show very fast results in the treatment of painful musculoskeletal conditions, without causing additional discomfort. If the area is sore or tight, or there are active trigger points, we find acupuncture preferable to other therapy options such as a local massage and manual trigger point release.
Trigger Point Release
Trigger point release can be performed with acupuncture or dry needling techniques to relieve pain and muscular tension. By releasing trigger points, tight and overused muscles can relax, and oxygen and nutrients can flow into the tissue more easily.
This can be particularly beneficial for athletes as it can improve flexibility, range of motion, and overall muscle function. Releasing trigger points can help prevent injuries by reducing the likelihood of muscle strains and other muscular injuries.
Benefits of Acupuncture for Athletes and Training
Many athletes find acupuncture helps their training by increasing their range of motion or reducing some of the pain associated with intense training.
Many people attend sessions on an ad-hoc basis when they are injured or experience restrictions in their movement. Other people book in regular treatment, such as fortnightly or weekly, to manage a chronic or recurring condition, or to maintain their wellbeing through a heavy training schedule.
Athletes including boxers, runners, and weightlifters use acupuncture to help their body feel great while training for competitive events. When people feel good in their body, they will have a better focus and clear mind for an upcoming competition.
Those who choose to use acupuncture to alleviate soreness from training regimes may prefer to rest and relax after their treatment to make the most of the relaxing benefits, however some people do choose to train straight away, using treatment to help to ‘loosen up’.
When preparing for a large event or competition, however, it is often advised to book treatment at least 48 hours before the event for any post treatment soreness to settle down.
Book Acupuncture at our Brisbane Clinic
To learn more about whether acupuncture is suitable for you, or to book an appointment in our Brisbane acupuncture clinic, send us a message via our Facebook page or contact our office on
0434 411 654 to discuss how it can fit into your treatment plan.
You can also book your appointment on our online bookings page.
Bowen Hills Acupuncture and Remedial Therapies is located at Refine Physiotherapy & Pilates in the centre of Brisbane. We are open from Monday through to Saturday.
Bowen Hills is in the centre of Brisbane and can easily be accessed from the neighbouring suburbs Fortitude Valley, CBD, Newstead, Albion, Teneriffe, Newfarm, Herston, Windsor, Wilston, Lutwyche and Woolowin.
Off-street parking is available.
Public transportation: Bowen Hills train station is less than a 5 min walk away.