Dry Needling

What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a physical therapy technique in which fine, sterile needles are inserted into myofascial trigger points (painful muscle knots), as well as tendons, ligaments, or near nerves. This technique is used to stimulate a healing response and reduce pain in musculoskeletal conditions. Dry needling is not acupuncture or Oriental Medicine. It does not aim to alter the flow of energy (“Qi”) along traditional Chinese meridians. Instead, dry needling is a modern, science-based intervention used by physical therapists to treat pain and movement dysfunction.

What Conditions Can Dry Needling Help?

Dry needling may be used to treat:

  • Neck and back pain
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Tennis elbow
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Headaches
  • Knee pain
  • Shin splints
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Other muscle, tendon, and joint conditions

Your physical therapist will determine if dry needling is appropriate for your condition.

What Does Dry Needling Feel Like?

  • You may feel a brief pinch, muscle twitch, or cramping sensation
  • Temporary discomfort during treatment is common
  • Mild soreness afterward may last 24–48 hours

Is Dry Needling Safe?

Yes. Dry needling is very safe when performed by a trained and licensed physical therapist. Like all medical treatments, side effects are possible.

Common, minor effects include:

  • Temporary pain during treatment (60–70%)
  • Minor bleeding or bruising (15–20%)
  • Drowsiness, tiredness, or dizziness (1–3%)

Less common effects:

  • Temporary worsening of symptoms (less than 3%)
  • Fainting (0.3%), most often during the first session or when treating the head or neck

Rare but serious side effects occur in less than 1 per 10,000 treatments (under 0.1%). The most common serious complication is pneumothorax (air entering the chest wall causing lung collapse).

Symptoms of pneumothorax may include:

  • Shortness of breath with activity
  • Increased breathing rate
  • Chest pain
  • Dry cough
  • Bluish skin discoloration
  • Excessive sweating

These symptoms may develop hours after treatment. If they occur, contact your physical therapist or physician immediately.

Very rare complications include temporary nerve or blood vessel irritation, and extremely rare cases of internal organ injury (approximately 1 in 200,000).

What Types of Needles Are Used?

This clinic uses single-use, disposable, sterile needles for every treatment.

Questions?

Your physical therapist will review your medical history, explain the procedure, and answer any questions to ensure dry needling is safe and appropriate for you.