About acupuncture at Respiratory PhysiO2
Acupuncture and dry needling use fine, sterile, single-use needles. At our clinic they are delivered by physiotherapists with additional training, and used alongside exercise, manual therapy and the rest of your physiotherapy treatment rather than instead of it. Your physiotherapist will discuss whether they are suitable for you, and you are free to say no at any point.
What we commonly use it for
- Tight, sore chest wall, neck and shoulder muscles — common in people who have been working hard to breathe, or coughing for weeks.
- Rib and upper back pain, including after a long period of coughing.
- Muscular neck and shoulder pain that makes breathing exercises uncomfortable.
- General musculoskeletal aches and pains, in the same way any physiotherapy clinic uses dry needling.
To be clear about what it isn't: we don't offer acupuncture as a treatment for asthma, COPD or any other lung disease. Where it helps our patients is with the muscular pain and stiffness that sits alongside a respiratory condition, so that exercise and airway clearance are easier to get through.
What a session involves
Your physiotherapist assesses the area first, then places a small number of fine needles into the muscle. Most people feel a dull ache or a brief twitch rather than sharp pain. The needles stay in for a few minutes while you rest, and they are disposed of straight away — every needle is single-use. Afterwards you may feel a little tender or tired for a day, much like after a firm massage, and we'll usually give you a stretch or exercise to do at home while the area is relaxed.
Is it right for you?
Tell your physiotherapist if you are pregnant, take blood-thinning medication, have a bleeding disorder, a pacemaker or implanted device, lymphoedema, or a needle phobia. Any of these may mean we treat a different way — there is almost always an alternative, such as hands-on release, heat or graded exercise.
Booking and fees
Acupuncture isn't a separate online booking type: it's offered within an appointment where it suits your treatment. Call us on (08) 8364 3706 and we'll book you with a physiotherapist who is trained in it. See our fees page for the current acupuncture visit fee, and note that most private health extras policies cover physiotherapy acupuncture — you can claim on the spot with HICAPS.