For years, tech expert Kat Milner began each day with a sharp, pounding pain in her right hand.
Sometimes, the discomfort centered at the base of her thumb; other times, it traveled up to her index finger or shot through her middle knuckle. Even the simplest of tasks became daunting.
The act of typing at her job ignited a fiery sensation in her hand. Crocheting, once a cherished pastime, became unbearable. Even holding a mug or twisting open a jar lid could result in a bolt of pain so severe it brought tears to her eyes.
At just 48, Kat felt as though she had aged decades overnight.
“I started purchasing all these gadgets to help me open things and thought, ‘This is absurd.’ I felt like a little old lady,” shared Kat, now 58 and the owner of Simplify Your Tech, in an interview with the Daily Mail.
What initially began as a dull ache insidiously evolved into a daily torment. Over time, the strength in her hand diminished, leaving her anxious about what the future held.
‘I was working in administration and typing all day. I remember coming home and thinking, “How am I going to keep working if this keeps getting worse?” Everything hurt.’
The pain had appeared gradually about a decade ago. At first, Kat brushed it off as overuse, but soon the flare-ups were impossible to ignore. Writing hurt. Washing dishes hurt. Even having a blanket rest on her hand one day made her gasp.
‘I started buying all these gadgets to help me open things and I thought, “This is ridiculous.” I felt like a little old lady,’ Kat (pictured) said of her arthritic pain in her 40s
Kat tried everything recommended but nothing helped her swollen and painful hand
‘It felt like it was burning. I remember looking around the room and thinking my bed must have caught fire. That is how bad it felt.’
Over the years, Kat tried everything recommended to her.
Her doctor prescribed pain relief. She tried capsaicin cream. She was given arthritis medication. She even underwent two rounds of cortisone injections.
‘The first cortisone shot lasted about a year so I thought, “Great, this is it.” The second one lasted maybe two months. It was so frustrating, especially because those injections really hurt.’
Nothing brought long-term relief – and the emotional toll began to creep in.
‘It becomes exhausting. You start to wonder if this is just how you will live from now on. There were times when I felt really low. I missed doing things I enjoyed and I hated relying on my husband to help with tasks that used to be nothing.’
The turning point came completely by accident.
Kat had followed her husband Paul to a physiotherapy appointment for his scoliosis and chronic back pain. While the physio explained a treatment called dry needling to him, Kat casually mentioned her hand.
Kat now has dry needling every few months – and knows she can have it as often as required without any negative effects
‘I think I was having a flare-up that day and I said something like, “I should probably have you try that on my hand.” She asked what was going on and I told her that nothing was helping.’
The physio listened, examined her hand, and suggested Kat book an appointment.
At that point, Kat had very little left to lose.
‘I had tried so many things that didn’t work. But I had acupuncture years ago so I had some idea of what needling was like. I was open to trying anything.’
What is dry needling?
Dry needling is a technique used by qualified physiotherapists in Australia to release tight muscles, reduce pain and improve movement.
It involves inserting very thin, sterile needles into trigger points or irritated areas within the muscles or connective tissue.
Unlike acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine and focuses on energy pathways, dry needling is rooted in modern anatomical and neurophysiological science.
A small twitch or ‘ping’ sensation can occur when the needle hits a sensitive point, which many practitioners believe interrupts pain signals and resets the muscle response.
In Australia, dry needling is performed by physiotherapists, osteopaths and some chiropractors who have completed accredited training.
A practitioner should be registered with AHPRA, use single-use sterile needles, and have specific post-graduate certification in dry needling.
‘It felt like a miracle’
During Kat’s first session, the physio inserted several very fine needles directly into the swollen and painful joints.
‘There is this little ping when she hits the right spot. It’s not pleasant but in a weird way it feels like something is being interrupted.’
Kat walked out expecting nothing – but something extraordinary happened.
‘My husband took my hand as we left and I suddenly realised it didn’t hurt. Normally even the slightest pull or movement would send pain shooting through me. I remember saying, “Hey, it doesn’t hurt.” I couldn’t believe it.’
Kat continued with the dry needling.
Sometimes her hand would feel a little tender after a session, but once the mild soreness had faded, Kat felt like she could do almost anything again.
‘I had a treatment yesterday and now I can wash dishes, open bottles and use my hand normally. Before, even turning a bottle lid would make me yelp.’
Dry needling did more than ease pain. It gave Kat her independence back.
‘I love my husband and he is always willing to help, but I lived alone for a long time. I want to know that I can still take care of myself. Being able to do things again makes me feel independent and capable. It is huge.’
Kat’s treatments now last several months at a time, if she avoids overdoing it. When the pain starts to return, she knows it is time to book in again.
‘If I bump my thumb on a glass while washing it and feel that old familiar pain, I know it’s time.’
Unlike medications and cortisone shots, there is no limit to how often she can have dry needling.
‘That is one of the best things. It’s not like a drug where you have to worry about long-term damage. I could have it every week if I needed it.’
Her physio also gives occasional adjustments and recommends hand-strengthening exercises, which help to support the joints between treatments.
For Kat, the relief has been life-changing.
‘I tell people, go to a physio that does dry needling. It is a gift from God. I hope my physio never retires!’
Arthritis and dry needling
According to the Australian Physiotherapy Association and clinical guidance across major physio networks:
· Dry needling may help reduce joint-related pain caused by arthritis by releasing tight surrounding muscles and interrupting pain signals.
· It is often used alongside hands-on physiotherapy, joint mobilisation and strengthening exercises.
· It is considered safe when performed by a trained practitioner using sterile, single-use needles.
· Unlike corticosteroid injections, dry needling does not have limits on how frequently it can be performed.
· Results vary between individuals, but some people experience relief immediately after treatment.
· It is not a cure for arthritis but may reduce symptoms enough to improve daily life.
