Acupuncture and Dry Needling Treatment
Acupuncture and Dry Needling for Jaw, Facial, Head and Neck Symptoms
Acupuncture and dry needling can be used alongside specialist physiotherapy to help manage pain, muscle tension and other musculoskeletal symptoms.
At Midlands Jaw Physiotherapy, these techniques are considered as part of your wider treatment plan rather than as a standalone treatment. Whether they are appropriate will depend on your symptoms, assessment findings and individual goals.
How Can Acupuncture & Dry Needling Help?
Acupuncture and dry needling involve the use of fine needles to stimulate specific areas of the body.
Depending on your presentation, they may be used to help:
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Reduce muscle tension
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Manage pain
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Improve comfort and movement
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Address local areas of muscle sensitivity
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Support your rehabilitation alongside exercise and other physiotherapy techniques
They may be particularly useful as an adjunct when muscle tension or pain is limiting your ability to move or participate in rehabilitation.
Acupuncture vs Dry Needling
Although both techniques use fine needles, they are used within different clinical frameworks.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points and may be used as part of a physiotherapy treatment programme for pain and musculoskeletal symptoms.
Dry Needling
Dry needling is a physiotherapy technique that targets specific muscles and areas of muscular sensitivity. It may be used to address muscle tension or trigger points as part of a wider rehabilitation programme.
During your assessment, we will discuss whether either approach is appropriate for you.
Acupuncture & Dry Needling for Jaw Pain
Muscle tension around the jaw can contribute to pain and sensitivity in some people with temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
Where appropriate, acupuncture or dry needling may be used alongside education, exercise and other physiotherapy approaches to help manage muscular symptoms.
Treatment may involve muscles around the jaw, face, neck or shoulders depending on your individual presentation.
Acupuncture & Dry Needling for Neck Pain and Headaches
Neck and upper shoulder muscle tension can occur alongside some types of headache and neck pain.
Where your assessment suggests that muscular symptoms may be contributing to your presentation, acupuncture or dry needling may form part of your treatment alongside movement rehabilitation and exercise.
What Happens During Treatment?
Before using acupuncture or dry needling, your symptoms and medical history will be assessed to determine whether the technique is appropriate and safe for you.
If treatment is appropriate, you will be positioned comfortably and the relevant area will be cleaned before the needles are inserted.
You may experience a brief prick or local sensation during treatment. Some people experience a temporary aching or tired feeling in the treated muscles afterwards.
Your treatment will be combined with other physiotherapy approaches where appropriate, such as exercise, movement retraining or education.
Is Acupuncture or Dry Needling Right for Me?
These techniques are not necessary for everyone and are not appropriate for every condition.
Your treatment plan will be based on your individual assessment. If another approach is more appropriate for your symptoms, this will be discussed with you.
The aim is to use acupuncture or dry needling where it may provide a useful addition to your wider rehabilitation, rather than using it simply because it is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book a Specialist Assessment
If you're experiencing jaw, facial, head or neck pain or muscle tension, a specialist assessment can help determine which treatment approaches may be appropriate for you.
Acupuncture and dry needling are only used where they form a clinically appropriate part of your individual treatment plan.
✅ 60-minute specialist assessment
✅ No GP referral needed
✅ Individual treatment plan
Why Choose Midlands Jaw Physiotherapy...
✅ Exclusive focus on facial palsy, jaw and neck conditions
✅ Independent Prescriber
✅ Medical Botulinum Toxin when appropriate
✅ HCPC & CSP Registered
✅ Evidence-based treatment
✅ Personalised rehabilitation programmes