Duston Chiropractic Clinic, Northampton

Dry Needling & Medical Acupuncture in Northampton

Fine-needle therapy used as part of an integrated approach to musculoskeletal care, assessed, planned and delivered by GCC-registered chiropractors at our Duston and Kislingbury clinics.

Book Online

WHAT WE TREAT

Call us:
01604 754 456

Email us:
admin@dustonchiropractic.co.uk

Duston Chiropractic Clinic
Duston Sports Centre, Cotswold Avenue, Duston,
Northampton. NN5 6EX

Serving Duston, Kislingbury, Northampton town centre and surrounding Northamptonshire villages. See more areas we cover

What is Dry Needling and Medical Acupuncture?

Dry needling and medical acupuncture both involve the use of fine, sterile needles inserted into specific muscles, trigger points and soft tissues to address musculoskeletal complaints. The two terms are often used interchangeably, the distinction generally reflects the practitioner’s training background and clinical approach rather than a meaningful difference in technique.

At Duston Chiropractic Clinic, dry needling and medical acupuncture are used as part of a wider approach to musculoskeletal care. They are not offered as standalone treatments but as one tool within a broader, individually tailored plan, which may also include chiropractic adjustments, joint mobilisation, soft tissue therapy and rehabilitation exercises.

All practitioners who use dry needling at our clinics have completed additional training in the technique beyond their core chiropractic qualification and are GCC-registered chiropractors.

Always Part of a Broader Plan

Dry needling at Duston Chiropractic Clinic is rarely used in isolation. It forms part of an integrated approach that considers your overall health, movement quality and long-term goals, not just the site of your immediate pain.

Every patient receives a thorough assessment before any treatment is recommended

Book your initial assessment →

Why Do People Choose Dry Needling?

Many patients seeking dry needling in Northampton choose it as part of their care for a range of musculoskeletal complaints. Every patient receives an individual assessment before any treatment recommendations are made, the conditions below are common presentations, not a guarantee of suitability.

Muscle Tension & Tightness

Helping to address persistent muscular tension that hasn’t fully responded to other approaches, particularly in the neck, shoulders and upper back.

Sports-Related Muscle Complaints

Supporting recovery and management of muscle complaints linked to sport, physical training or repetitive activity.

Neck Discomfort

Used alongside mobilisation and soft tissue therapy for neck-related muscle symptoms and trigger point sensitivity.

Back Discomfort

As part of a broader management plan for lower and upper back complaints, where muscular tension is a contributing factor.

Shoulder Pain

Targeted needle placement to address muscular contributors to shoulder discomfort, alongside other chiropractic techniques.

Arthritic Joints

Considered as part of a wider management plan for joint-related discomfort where surrounding soft tissue is contributing to symptoms.

This is a broad overview of presentations where dry needling may form part of a treatment plan. Suitability is always assessed on an individual basis following a thorough consultation. Your chiropractor will discuss whether dry needling is appropriate for you.

Dry Needling as Part of Chiropractic Care

At Duston Chiropractic Clinic, dry needling is rarely the only technique used in a session. Under the leadership of principal chiropractor Joseph Kong, the clinic takes an integrated approach to musculoskeletal care — selecting the combination of techniques most appropriate for each individual patient.

Where dry needling is included in a treatment plan, it may be used alongside:

Chiropractic adjustment
Joint mobilisation
Trigger point therapy
Soft tissue therapy
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM)
Rehabilitation exercises
Sports injury management
Postural and ergonomic advice

Tailored to You

This integrated approach allows treatment to be shaped around your individual presentation – your symptoms, history, goals and how you want to move and feel. No two treatment plans look exactly alike.

Your chiropractor will explain clearly which techniques they are using and why, and will answer any questions before treatment begins.

Read about all our chiropractic techniques →

What Happens During a Dry Needling Treatment?

Initial Discussion

Your chiropractor will discuss your symptoms, medical history, any relevant health conditions and your treatment goals before making any recommendation about dry needling.

Assessment

A thorough physical assessment helps determine whether dry needling is appropriate for you, which muscles or areas to target, and whether other techniques may be more suitable alongside it.

Treatment

Treatment uses sterile, single-use needles and is adapted to each individual. Informed consent is obtained before treatment begins, and any potential side effects, such as temporary soreness, are explained in advance.

Is Dry Needling Safe?

Dry needling and medical acupuncture are generally considered safe when performed by an appropriately trained healthcare professional. At Duston Chiropractic Clinic, all practitioners who use dry needling are GCC-registered chiropractors who have completed additional specific training in the technique.

Potential risks and side effects are always discussed before treatment begins, and informed consent is always obtained. If dry needling is not appropriate for your individual situation, your chiropractor will tell you and discuss alternative approaches.



Sterile, single-use needles



Additional training completed by all practitioners



Recognised safety procedures



Full discussion of risks and side effects before treatment



Informed consent obtained



GCC-registered chiropractors

Practitioners Trained in Dry Needling

Dry needling and medical acupuncture at Duston Chiropractic Clinic is carried out by GCC-registered chiropractors who have completed additional training in the technique. Below are the practitioners currently offering dry needling at our Northampton clinics.

Joseph Kong

DC, M.Chiro, LRCC | Duston Chiropractic Clinic

Joseph graduated with a first class Masters degree in Chiropractic from AECC University College and completed his clinical internship at the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic. As principal chiropractor and owner of Duston Chiropractic Clinic, Joseph has trained in dry needling and medical acupuncture as part of a broader toolkit for musculoskeletal care. He uses dry needling selectively, where assessment indicates it may support a patient’s overall treatment plan.

Xiao-Wei Low

DC, M.Chiro, LRCC - Currently on maternity leave

Xiao-Wei holds a Masters in Chiropractic from the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic and is trained in dry needling alongside a wide range of other techniques including SOT, Activator, Drops and sports taping. She returns to the Duston clinic following maternity leave.

Nick Wilderspin

DC, M.Chiro, LRCC - GCC, RCC, BCA | Kislingbury Chiropractic Clinic

Nick graduated from the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic in 2009 and has since completed specialist training in medical acupuncture as part of an extensive programme of continuing professional development that also includes Active Release Technique, kinesiotaping and the McGill Method of spinal rehabilitation. Nick offers acupuncture and dry needling at the Kislingbury clinic, typically integrated with his rehabilitation-focused approach to care.

All chiropractors at Duston Chiropractic Clinic are registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and complete mandatory annual continuing professional development. You can verify any practitioner’s registration at gcc-uk.org. For a full overview of the team, visit our Meet the Team page.

Duston Chiropractic Clinic

Duston Sports Centre
Cotswold Avenue
Duston
Northampton
NN5 6EX

flats.dining.dock

Kislingbury Chiropractic Clinic

The Dovecote
High Street, Kislingbury
Northampton
NN7 4AG

driven.format.class

Common Questions About Dry Needling in Northampton

Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?

Both techniques use fine needles and share significant overlap in how they are applied within musculoskeletal healthcare. The terminology generally reflects the practitioner’s training background and clinical approach, a chiropractor who has trained in needling techniques may refer to it as dry needling or medical acupuncture depending on the framework they were trained in. The needles used are the same.

Does dry needling hurt?

Most patients report mild or temporary discomfort rather than significant pain. A brief muscle twitch or a dull ache when the needle reaches the target tissue is common and generally considered a positive response. Experiences vary between individuals and treatment areas. Your chiropractor will explain what to expect before treatment begins and will adjust their approach based on your response.

Can dry needling be combined with chiropractic treatment?

Yes and at Duston Chiropractic Clinic, it almost always is. Dry needling is rarely used as a standalone treatment. It is typically one part of a broader plan that may include chiropractic adjustments, joint mobilisation, soft tissue therapy and rehabilitation exercises. The combination used depends entirely on your individual assessment and what your chiropractor believes will be most effective for your complaint.

Do I need an assessment before dry needling?

Yes. A thorough assessment is always carried out before dry needling is recommended. This allows your chiropractor to determine whether dry needling is appropriate for your individual situation, identify the right areas to target, and establish whether other treatment approaches may be more suitable alongside it. Dry needling is not offered as a walk-in or standalone service.

How many sessions will I need?

Because dry needling at Duston Chiropractic Clinic is used as part of a broader course of care rather than as a standalone treatment, the number of sessions depends on your overall treatment plan. After your initial assessment, your chiropractor will give you a clear indication of what to expect. Acute complaints often respond within a small number of sessions; long-standing or complex conditions may require a longer course of care.

Is dry needling safe?

Dry needling and medical acupuncture are generally considered safe when performed by an appropriately trained practitioner using sterile, single-use needles. At Duston Chiropractic Clinic, all practitioners who use dry needling are GCC-registered chiropractors with additional specific training in the technique. Potential risks and side effects, which may include temporary soreness or minor bruising at the needle site, are always discussed before treatment, and informed consent is always obtained.

Which practitioners offer dry needling?

Dry needling and medical acupuncture is available at both our Duston and Kislingbury clinics. Joseph Kong (principal chiropractor, Duston) and Nick Wilderspin (Kislingbury) are both trained in the technique, as is Xiao-Wei Low who returns from maternity leave. Your chiropractor will confirm following your initial assessment whether dry needling is appropriate for your case and who will be treating you.

Looking for Dry Needling in Northampton?

If you are searching for dry needling, medical acupuncture or chiropractic care in Northampton, our team at Duston and Kislingbury can assess your symptoms and discuss the treatment options available to you. We provide evidence-informed musculoskeletal care from two clinic locations across Northamptonshire.

Call us on: 01604 754456 or Email us: admin@dustonchiropractic.co.uk