905-953-9499
Dry Needling Newmarket
Release Tension. Restore Movement.
One-on-One Care
We don’t just treat symptoms—we get to the root of the issue. Every session is tailored to you, guided by clinicians who know how to listen, assess, and create lasting change.
Built Around Your Goals
You don’t have to be an athlete to be treated like one. We take your goals seriously—whether that means lifting pain-free, getting back to your sport, or simply enjoying everyday movement again.
Results You Can Feel
Whether you’re recovering from injury or looking to move better, our team is focused on measurable progress. No guesswork. No cookie-cutter plans. Just the right steps forward.
Personalized Care. Real Results.
Our therapists are committed to ensuring the best possible outcomes for you. If you’ve had a great experience at Athletify, we want to hear from you!
What Is Dry Needling And How Does It Work?
Dry needling, also known as “Ah shi” needling, is a therapeutic technique used to release tight or taut bands of muscle. These muscle knots often form when blood flow is restricted or when abnormal nerve signals cause the muscle to contract excessively.
At Athletify in Newmarket, dry needling involves inserting a fine needle directly into the affected muscle band. The process is designed to stimulate a natural response in the tissue, improving blood circulation, reducing pain, and restoring normal muscle function.
This technique is particularly effective for people who experience chronic muscle tightness, stiffness from repetitive strain, or localized areas of pain.
Who Can Benefit From Dry Needling In Newmarket?
Dry needling can help a wide range of clients, from active individuals to those dealing with chronic discomfort. At Athletify, we often recommend it for:
- Athletes: Relief from muscle tightness caused by training and competition.
- Office Workers: Treatment for stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and back from long hours of sitting.
- Chronic Pain Sufferers: Reduction of pain linked to overuse or repetitive strain.
- Rehabilitation Clients: Complementary care for restoring mobility after injury.
- Everyday Movers: Support for anyone experiencing persistent muscle tension.
If you’ve ever felt a “knot” in your muscle that won’t seem to let go, dry needling can be an effective solution.
How Is Dry Needling Performed At Athletify?
There are two main methods of performing dry needling, and both are used at Athletify depending on your condition and goals:
Both approaches work toward the same outcome: restoring muscle health by addressing the underlying tension and nerve signal imbalance.
What Are The Benefits Of Dry Needling In Newmarket?
Dry needling provides a range of benefits for pain relief, recovery, and performance. Key benefits include:
- Muscle Release: Targets tight or overactive muscles and helps them relax.
- Improved Blood Flow: Restores circulation to areas with restricted movement.
- Pain Reduction: Relieves localized discomfort and referred pain patterns.
- Nerve Reset: Normalizes nerve input to muscles for smoother function.
- Faster Recovery: Helps speed up the healing process after strain or overuse.
- Better Mobility: Loosens muscles to allow for freer, more comfortable movement.
When combined with physiotherapy exercises or athletic therapy, dry needling can play a key role in restoring balance to the body.
What Does The Twitch Response Feel Like?
The twitch response is a hallmark of dry needling. When the needle is placed into a taut band of muscle, the muscle reacts with a sudden, quick contraction. Clients often describe it as feeling like a brief cramp or spasm.
Although surprising at first, the sensation passes quickly and is followed by a noticeable release of tension in the treated area. This reflexive action resets the nerve signal, allowing the muscle to relax and return to its normal function.
Why Choose Athletify For Dry Needling In Newmarket?
At Athletify, dry needling is delivered by physiotherapists who integrate it into a complete care plan. That means treatment is not just about symptom relief—it’s about addressing the bigger picture of how your body moves and functions.
This makes dry needling at Athletify a powerful option for anyone dealing with stubborn muscle tightness or ongoing pain.
- Safe Technique: Needling performed by trained physiotherapists.
- Tailored Sessions: Choice of needle retention or twitch response method based on your condition.
- Integrated Approach: Often combined with exercise therapy or manual treatment.
- One-On-One Care: Sessions focus entirely on your needs and progress.
- Calm Environment: Supportive setting designed to keep you comfortable.
Newmarket’s Finest: Meet Our Dry Needling Team
Scott Dunne
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
About Scott Dunne
It’s a priority to Scott that each patient understands their body, what is happening to it and how to improve it. Equally important is the relaxed and focused one-on-one attention that each patient deserves when they make time to visit the clinic. Each patient experiences an integrated multimodal approach of health education, manual hands-on therapy, acupuncture, dry needling and exercise.
When not at work, Scott prioritize spending time his wife and two young boys. Being active and nutrition conscious is a part of their daily lives. As a general sports enthusiast, Scott enjoys participating in almost any physical activity out there. These days he mainly focuses activities such as golf, hockey and crossfit-type training.
Professional Experience
Scott received his BSc.HK in 2005 from St. Francis Xavier University. His studies there concentrated on Kinesiology, Biology and Exercise Physiology. During this time he worked as the team therapist for the varsity football and basketball teams and became a certified personal trainer and fitness consultant.
In 2007 he received his MSc.PT from the University of Toronto. His post graduate studies have focused on advanced orthopedic manual therapy and acupuncture training. In addition to the typical clinical studies of physiotherapy, Scott trained for two years with the golf physio specialists of FITforeGOLF™, he is a trained Pilates instructor, and also Titleist Performance Institute certified – TPI Medical 3 Level.
Insurance Partners
We offer direct billing with a wide range of insurance providers to make your experience seamless and stress-free.
We currently direct bill the following providers:
- Alberta Blue Cross
- AGA Financial Group Inc.
- Beneva
- BPA
- Canada Life
- Canada Life – PSHCP
- Canadian Construction Workers Union
- Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan
- CINUP (Johnston Group)
- ClaimSecure
- Coughlin & Associates Ltd.
- Cowan (Express Scripts Canada)
- D.A. Townley
- Desjardins Insurance
- Equitable Life
- First Canadian (Johnston Group)
- GMS
- Green Shield Canada
- GroupHEALTH
- GroupSource
- Industrial Alliance
- Johnson Inc. (Express Scripts Canada)
- Johnston Group
- LiUNA Local 183
- LiUNA Local 506
- Manion
- Manulife Financial
- Maximum Benefit (Johnston Group)
- MDM Insurance Services
- People Corporation
- RWAM Insurance
- Simply Benefits
- TELUS AdjudiCare
- Union Benefits
- UV Insurance
- And More!
Areas We Serve
- Newmarket
- Aurora
- Oak Ridges
- York Region
- Sharon
- Bradford
- Mount Albert
- Ballantrae
- Richmond Hill
Dry Needling in Newmarket FAQs
While both use thin needle insertion techniques, dry needling and acupuncture are different approaches. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine and focuses on energy flow along meridians. Dry needling, however, is a modern physiotherapy and physical therapy technique used to release trigger points, ease muscle tension, and support rehabilitation.
At Athletify in Newmarket, our physiotherapists use dry needling as part of a treatment plan to target musculoskeletal issues such as back pain, neck pain, and tennis elbow. It’s a clinical approach backed by science, designed to reduce pain and improve mobility.
Dry needling is effective for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. It can reduce pain from chronic tension, trigger points, and myofascial restrictions. Clients often seek treatment for neck pain, back pain, sports injuries, and repetitive strain problems such as tennis elbow or shoulder soreness.
In Newmarket, our physiotherapists also recommend dry needling for individuals with chronic pain, postural issues, and muscle stiffness caused by work or daily stress. Whether you’re managing long-term discomfort or recovering from sports injuries, dry needling can complement manual therapy and other physiotherapy techniques to restore balance and function.
Dry needling is rarely used as a standalone treatment—it works best when integrated into a comprehensive physiotherapy or rehabilitation plan. At Athletify, our physiotherapists combine dry needling with manual therapy, exercise programs, and movement retraining to deliver lasting results.
By addressing both the immediate muscle tension and the underlying cause, your treatment plan becomes more effective. This holistic approach helps reduce pain, restore mobility, and prevent recurring issues. Whether you’re aiming for faster recovery, improved performance, or long-term pain relief, dry needling in Newmarket, Ontario can be an essential part of your care.
When the needle is inserted into a trigger point, you may feel a quick twitch response. This brief sensation can feel like a small cramp or muscle spasm, but it typically subsides within seconds. Many clients describe immediate pain relief and a release of tightness afterward.
During a session at our Newmarket clinic, physiotherapists ensure the process is safe, comfortable, and effective. Most people experience minimal soreness, similar to post-exercise stiffness, which eases within a day or two. The goal is always to reduce pain, improve mobility, and help your muscles move more freely.
Athletify Golf Performance + Physio
16715 Yonge St Unit 22, Newmarket, ON L3X 1X4, Canada
Clinic Hours:
Monday
7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Friday
7:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed