Willow
530 Willow Rd Unit 12 · 519-341-5161
Woodlawn
9 Woodlawn Rd E, Unit 201 · 226-770-4440
Tavistock
18 Hope Street West · 226-336-8116
Release Tight, Painful Muscles
Dry Needling at Westwood Physiotherapy
Dry needling uses a very thin, sterile, single-use needle placed directly into a tight band of muscle — a trigger point — to release it, reduce local pain and restore normal movement. At Westwood Physiotherapy in Guelph we use it as one part of a physiotherapy plan: needling settles the muscle, and the exercise and manual therapy that follow keep it settled.
What Can Dry Needling Help With?
Dry needling is most useful when tight muscles and trigger points are a real part of your problem. It is commonly used alongside physiotherapy for:
- Myofascial trigger points and stubborn muscle knots
- Neck and shoulder tension, including desk-posture pain
- Tension-type headaches referred from the neck
- Low back and hip tightness
- Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
- Calf, hamstring and glute tightness
- Plantar heel pain and foot muscle tension
- Muscle guarding after an injury or surgery
Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture: What’s the Difference?
Both use fine needles, but they come from different traditions and are used for different reasons. Here’s how we think about it:
What Does a Dry Needling Appointment Involve?
Dry needling is delivered inside a physiotherapy appointment, not as a stand-alone service. Here’s what to expect:
- Assessment first: Your physiotherapist examines your movement and palpates for trigger points to confirm needling is the right tool for your problem.
- Informed consent: We explain what you will feel, the expected benefit and the risks, and you can decline or stop at any point.
- The treatment: A thin, sterile, single-use needle is inserted into the tight band of muscle. Most people feel a brief cramp or twitch, then a release.
- Hands-on and exercise: Needling is followed by manual therapy and targeted exercise while the muscle is more mobile — this is what makes the change last.
- Aftercare: Mild soreness for a day or two is normal. We give you a home program and review progress at your next visit.
Direct billing
We bill your insurer directly
We’re an approved provider for the following insurance companies. No reimbursement paperwork required.
Think Dry Needling Could Help? Book an Assessment
Book a physiotherapy assessment at our Guelph or Tavistock clinic and ask about dry needling. Your physiotherapist will tell you honestly whether it suits your condition—and what else your recovery needs.
Our Locations
Three clinics, one standard of care
Willow Rd Guelph
Clinic Hours
Mon – Fri: 9am-8pm
Sat: 9am-2pm
Woodlawn Rd Guelph
Clinic Hours
Mon, Wed, Fri: 11am-7pm
Tues, Thurs: 9am-5pm
Sat: 9am-2pm