Persistent muscle tension can linger after a massage or rest because the trigger points causing it were not properly addressed. At Endura Physio, dry needling targets these deep muscle trigger points that are often responsible for chronic pain, sports injuries, and ongoing muscular tightness.
By releasing these restricted muscle bands, dry needling helps improve mobility, relieve pain, and enhance recovery for active individuals experiencing ongoing discomfort or movement restrictions. Dry needling treatment is performed during a physiotherapy session, following a comprehensive clinical assessment and a personalised treatment plan designed to achieve measurable results.
At Endura Physio, we offer dry needling as part of your physiotherapy treatment at no extra charge. Book your appointment online or call (438) 439-3949 to start your treatment.
Dry needling therapy is a physiotherapy technique that uses sterile, single-use, thin needles to treat myofascial trigger points, tight, hypersensitive spots within a taut band of muscle that cause localized pain and restrict movement. The needle contains no medication or fluid. The term "dry" specifically means that nothing is injected into the body.
In Quebec, the technique is regulated under the name PPAS (punctions physiothérapiques à l'aiguille sèche). It can only be performed by physiotherapists who hold a dedicated certification from the Ordre Professionnel de la Physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ), which is separate from a standard physiotherapy license. It is important to note that not all physiotherapists in Quebec hold this certification.
When the needle reaches an active trigger point, you may feel a brief involuntary muscle contraction. This is called the local twitch response (LTR), a normal neurophysiological reaction that indicates the trigger point has been activated. The response helps reduce muscle spasm, lower local inflammation, and increase blood flow to the affected tissue.
Dry needling treatment is most effective when used as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan, combined with exercise and manual therapy, rather than as a standalone treatment.
While both techniques use thin needles, the training, regulatory frameworks, and clinical goals differ. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right treatment for your condition.
Dry needling is performed by physiotherapists trained in Western neuroanatomy and musculoskeletal science. The needle is inserted directly at or near the source of pain, targeting a specific trigger point, taut band, or area of damaged soft tissue. Treatment decisions are based on a physical assessment of your muscles, joints, and movement patterns.
Acupuncture is practiced by licensed acupuncturists under a separate regulatory body. It is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, where acupuncture needle placement follows meridian lines based on a whole-body energy assessment rather than a localized anatomical diagnosis. The intent, assessment process, and governing regulatory body are entirely distinct from physiotherapy practice.
For pain with a clear musculoskeletal origin, such as a stiff neck, a recurring muscle knot, or a sports injury that has not resolved, dry needling physiotherapy can relieve pain through direct anatomical targeting. Whereas acupuncture operates on a different clinical model and may suit different treatment goals.
Dry needling is most effective when the source of pain involves myofascial trigger points, muscle spasm, or restricted soft tissue. Your physiotherapist will assess whether your condition is a good candidate during your first appointment.
The following conditions consistently respond well to dry needling physiotherapy:
Lower back pain
Neck pain and cervical stiffness
Thoracic and postural pain
Shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries
Tension headaches and migraines
Myofascial pain syndrome
Tendinopathy, including the Achilles and patellar tendons
Sciatica and gluteal pain
Hip pain and IT band tightness
Plantar fasciitis
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
Knee pain
Whiplash-associated disorders
Fibromyalgia
Sports injuries and overuse conditions
Dry needling treatment is not appropriate for every patient or every condition. If PPAS is not appropriate based on your assessment, your treatment plan will include other evidence-based options. The goal is accurate diagnosis first, treatment second.
Every dry needling session follows a clear sequence. Knowing what happens at each step helps you arrive prepared and reduces uncertainty about the process.
Your physiotherapist starts by reviewing your health history, identifying active trigger points through manual palpation, and confirming that there are no contraindications before any needles are used.
Before treatment begins, you will be asked to give explicit consent. If you have a fear of needles or prefer an alternative approach, that preference is always respected, and other options will be discussed.
Thin, sterile, single-use needles are inserted at or near the site of pain. Most patients report a mild pressure or brief pinch at the insertion point. Significant discomfort during insertion is uncommon.
You may feel a short, involuntary muscle contraction at the needle site. This is the local twitch response (LTR), a normal physiological reaction indicating the trigger point has been engaged. Some patients also notice a brief aching sensation in the affected muscles.
Needling typically takes 5 to 10 minutes during a standard physiotherapy session. Before you leave, your physiotherapist will advise on post-session care and outline the next steps in your treatment plan.
After your session, it is normal to experience some soreness in the treated area for 24 to 48 hours. Applying heat to the area helps manage this discomfort. We recommend avoiding strenuous physical activity on the day of treatment until you know how your body responds. Light movement and normal daily activity are generally fine.
Dry needling produces measurable changes in muscle tissue that other manual treatment techniques cannot always achieve. The following are outcomes that may be observed during physiotherapy treatment for myofascial dysfunction.
Massage and manual therapy offer relief, but their effects are often temporary when active trigger points persist. Dry needling addresses the neuromuscular source of the restriction. Patients who incorporate PPAS into a structured rehabilitation program generally need fewer ongoing passive treatment sessions to maintain the same level of function.
Dry needling is effective for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, but it is not appropriate for every patient. Your physiotherapist will confirm your suitability during your initial assessment before any treatment begins.
Adults with persistent muscle pain that has not fully resolved with massage therapy, stretching, or exercise alone
Patients with a physiotherapy diagnosis involving active myofascial trigger points
Runners, cyclists, and athletes managing recurring sports injuries or overuse conditions
Patients dealing with chronic postural tension from prolonged sitting or desk work
Anyone whose movement is limited by muscle tightness rather than joint or structural damage
Dry needling is not recommended for patients who are experiencing any of the following.
Under 14 years of age
Pregnancy
Active local infection at or near the intended treatment site
Bleeding disorders or currently undergoing anticoagulant therapy
Vascular conditions, including haemophilia
Severe needle phobia (alternative treatment options will always be discussed)
If dry needling is not suitable for your condition, your physiotherapist will outline other evidence-based options as part of your larger treatment plan. We always finish a session by offering a clear next step.
Endura Physio is an independent physiotherapy clinic serving patients across the West Island, including Pierrefonds, Sainte-Geneviève, Île-Bizard, and Dollard-des-Ormeaux. Every session is conducted by a licensed physiotherapist.
Olivier Collin founded Endura Physio after completing his MSc in Physiotherapy at McGill University in 2019 and his BSc in Kinesiology at the University of Victoria. He holds a specialized dry needling certification from the Ordre Professionnel de la Physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ) and brings direct clinical experience treating muscle and soft tissue conditions in active adults. He co-founded Nomad Runners in 2022, a running community based in the West Island. His background in running and sports directly informs the clinic's approach to rehabilitation for runners, cyclists, and athletes managing recurring injuries.
Dry needling is covered under physiotherapy benefits in most private insurance plans and carries no additional fee at Endura Physio. Check your plan for your specific annual physiotherapy limit and reimbursement percentage before your first appointment. CNESST, SAAQ, and IVAC coverage is also accepted.
Most patients feel mild pressure or a brief pinch at the point of insertion. You may also notice a short involuntary muscle contraction, the local twitch response, when the needle reaches an active trigger point. This sensation is temporary. Significant pain during insertion is uncommon.
Only physiotherapists holding the OPPQ certification for PPAS can perform dry needling in Quebec.
Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS), also known as the Gunn IMS method, is a specific form of dry needling developed by Dr. Chan Gunn. Both use filiform needles to treat trigger points within muscle tissue. IMS follows a distinct diagnostic model based on neuropathic pain theory. The terms are related but refer to different clinical frameworks.
Dry needling can be effective for persistent pain conditions, including chronic neck pain, lower back pain, and myofascial pain syndrome. Results are most consistent when PPAS is integrated into a larger treatment plan that includes exercise and manual therapy, rather than being used as a standalone treatment.
No. Referrals are not necessary for a private physiotherapy appointment. If your treatment involves a CNESST, SAAQ, or IVAC claim, contact the clinic directly before booking so the team can confirm the required documentation before your first session.
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