How We Use Dry Needling in Treating Back Pain

Back pain has a way of creeping into everyday life. One day, it’s a bit of stiffness when you get out of bed, the next it’s stopping you from training or sitting comfortably at work. For most people, the source of that pain isn’t a serious injury — it’s muscles that are doing too much, for too long.

This is where dry needling can play a valuable role. At Hein Viljoen Physiotherapy, we use dry needling as part of an evidence-based approach to back pain. It’s not a quick fix for weak muscles or poor posture, but it can help release muscle spasms, improve blood flow, and reduce pain, making it easier to move and function day to day.

Why back pain is so common   

Your spine was designed to move. But problems often start when movement becomes limited, repetitive, or when muscles are asked to cope with more load than they can handle.

Back pain commonly develops due to:

• Long hours of sitting or desk-based work (yes, modern life doesn’t make it easy!)
• Sudden increases in training volume or intensity
• Repetitive lifting, bending, or twisting
• Reduced strength or poor movement control
• Ongoing stress

What is dry needling ?

Dry needling is a physiotherapy technique designed to release tight, overactive muscles and restore normal movement. It involves placing a very fine, sterile needle into trigger points — the small knots or tight spots in a muscle. Trigger points can:

• Feel sore or tender to touch
• Contribute to stiffness and restricted movement
• Cause pain locally or refer it to other parts of the body

When trigger points develop in muscles that support the spine, they can interfere with movement and function. Tight or overactive muscles may:

• Limit how well your spine moves
• Increase strain on joints and surrounding tissues
• Cause pain that feels constant, sharp, or hard to pinpoint

By targeting these trigger points, dry needling helps reduce tension and support more comfortable movement.

Dry needling for lower and upper back pain  

Dry needling can help relieve tension and discomfort in both the lower and upper back, though the technique depends on which muscles are involved and how the pain is affecting you.

Lower back pain

‍Tight or overactive muscles in the lower back, hips, and glutes are often the cause of stiffness, aching, or sharp twinges that make bending, lifting, or even sitting uncomfortable. Dry needling targets these muscles, helping them release tension and improve movement. When combined with exercises that strengthen and stabilise the core, it can make everyday activities — from getting out of bed to walking or training — feel much easier.

Upper back and mid-back pain

‍Pain between the shoulder blades, around the neck, or across the mid-back is often caused by overworked postural muscles, repetitive movements, or long hours at a desk. Dry needling can help relax tight muscles in the upper back, shoulders, and chest, reducing stiffness and improving posture. Loosening these muscles can also relieve tension that radiates into the neck, shoulders, or even arms, making daily tasks more comfortable.

How we use dry needling at Hein Viljoen Physiotherapy   

At our practice, dry needling is never the starting point. Every session begins with a thorough assessment to understand how you move, where your pain is coming from, and which muscles are involved.

Dry needling is always combined with hands-on physiotherapy, individualised strengthening and mobility exercises, and practical guidance on posture, training, and recovery, ensuring the relief you feel is supported by long-term improvements in movement and function.
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Read more about dry needling on our website. 

Back pain? Let us assess and advise on the appropriate treatment. Click here to book a physio appointment.