What Is Dry Needling? Learn the Benefits, Risks and Results

Highlights

• Dry needling is a minimally invasive therapy that uses thin needles to deactivate trigger points and relieve muscle pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.

• This treatment offers benefits such as reduced tension, faster recovery from injuries, and long-lasting relief, while also helping with conditions like tendonitis, headaches, joint problems, and more.

• Empower Fitness provides personalized treatment plans to release deep trigger points, improve mobility, and optimize performance. Book a free consultation today!

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What is dry needling? If you’ve been searching for answers to this question, you’re probably dealing with some level of muscle pain, stiffness, or limited range of motion, and you’re looking for a safe, low-risk solution.

In this article, you’ll not only learn what this treatment involves, but also discover the dry needling benefits, its potential risks, and the results it can offer. This way, you’ll be able to determine whether this technique is a good option for your specific condition.

Let’s begin!

The Basics: What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is an invasive physical therapy technique that allows therapists to deactivate painful muscle points without using anesthetics or any other substances by inserting a needle directly into a tight or irritated muscle band. 

The process makes it possible to relieve pain, stiffness, and muscle tension, which may develop due to overload or sudden movements. Beyond relieving localized pain, dry needling may also improve blood flow, mobility, and neuromuscular activation.

How Does Dry Needling Work?

Dry needling works by stimulating a trigger point through the insertion of thin, solid filiform needles into the skin, all without the use of anesthetics. Trigger points often form due to overuse, poor posture, stress, repetitive strain, or sudden movements that overload a muscle. 

When the needle stimulates points of muscle tension, it can provoke a small, involuntary muscle twitch known as a local twitch response, which signals that the muscle is beginning to release.

To achieve this effect, the therapist first identifies the trigger point and then inserts the needle directly into it. Once the needle is placed, the practitioner may gently manipulate it to provoke that brief twitch and encourage the muscle to relax.

At this point, you already understand how dry needling works. Next, we’ll explore more about this method.

Does Dry Needling Hurt?

Yes, dry needling hurts, because trigger points are typically sensitive to the touch. Therefore, you may feel pain even before the insertion, while the specialist locates the area to treat.

You may also feel discomfort during the insertion, either a quick sting as the needle penetrates the skin, or a stronger sensation when it reaches the trigger point and provokes a muscle contraction.

After the dry needling procedure, you may experience tightness or soreness around the insertion site.

What Are the Benefits of Dry Needling?

The main benefits of dry needling are:   

• Deactivates myofascial trigger points.

• Reduces muscle tension.

• Reaches tissues that are difficult to access manually.

• Helps heal chronic injuries.

• Reduces recovery time after an injury.

• Decreases pain immediately in more than 20% of cases.

• Enables full tissue regeneration within 48 to 72 hours.

Dry needling is used across a broad range of pain presentations, but it is often closely associated with Myofascial Pain Syndrome because of the central role of trigger points. -  Dr. Wayne W Mahmoud, Osteopath & Acupuncturist

What Type of Problems Can Be Treated with Dry Needling?

Dry needling can help with:

• Joint problems

• Tendonitis

• Whiplash

• Pelvic pain

• Disc issues

• TMJ and jaw-related disorders

• Spine problems

• Night cramps

• Migraines and tension headaches

• Repetitive strain injuries

• Phantom limb pain

How Long Do Dry Needling Results Last?

Results from dry needling can last several days after the initial treatment. However, this depends on the severity of your symptoms, your body’s response, and other individual factors.

Who Shouldn't Get Dry Needling Treatments?

People with blood clotting problems, compromised immune systems, metal allergies, or severe needle phobia shouldn’t get dry needling treatments. This therapy is also not recommended for pregnant women and children under 12. 

Other dry needling risk factors include recently operated patients or those with wounds, scars, tattoos, or other injuries in the treatment area.

What Are the Potential Side Effects of Dry Needling?

The potential side effects of dry needling include:

• Pain during and after the session.

• Stiffness.

• Bruising at or near the insertion site.

• Fainting.

• Infection.

Dry Needling Vs. Acupuncture: What's the Difference?

The main difference between dry needling and acupuncture lies in their purpose, foundations, and application methods. While both techniques use thin needles, they are grounded in different traditions and aim to achieve different outcomes.

Acupuncture is based on the concept of balancing the body’s energy flow through a network of meridians. It can address musculoskeletal pain, but it is also commonly used to support digestive, emotional, hormonal, and neurological health, depending on the practitioner’s approach.

Dry needling treatment, on the other hand, is rooted in modern Western medicine and the study of musculoskeletal anatomy and neurophysiology. Instead of targeting energy pathways, it focuses specifically on dysfunctional muscle tissue and uses needle stimulation to provoke a twitch response. 

Dry needling is rarely a stand-alone procedure and should be part of a broader physical therapy approach. - American Physical Therapy Association

The Process: Every Step of a Dry Needling Consultation

Below, we’ll describe in detail the dry needling steps performed during a session.

What Happens Before a Dry Needling Treatment?

Before treatment, the doctor will review your medical history and perform a physical exam. This allows the professional to determine whether a dry needling procedure is appropriate for you. If so, they will explain how it works and answer your questions.

On the day of the session, you should wear comfortable, loose clothing so the specialist can easily access the treatment area. Once inside the room, you’ll be positioned as instructed by the therapist.

What Happens During a Dry Needling Treatment?

During the session, the practitioner will sterilize the area and prepare the needle. They’ll palpate the region to locate the trigger point and, with the other hand, place the needle over the spot using a plastic guide tube.

Once the needle is inserted into the superficial layer of the skin, the specialist discards the guide tube. From that moment, they may apply different techniques:

• Superficial: inserting the needle 5–10 millimeters into the subcutaneous tissue above the trigger point.

• Deep: inserting the needle deeper into the muscle, beyond the subcutaneous tissue, to penetrate the trigger point.

Depending on the method used, the therapist may leave the needle in place from two seconds to 20 minutes, or move it quickly up and down through the tissue.

In the first session, the practitioner may use only one or two needles and later increase the number depending on your progress. It’s important to note that you may feel pain or muscle twitches during the treatment, as this is a normal response of the muscles.

What Happens After a Dry Needling Procedure?

After the procedure, the therapist will remove the needle and examine your skin for any possible reactions. You’ll then need to stand up slowly and sit down if you feel lightheaded.

Following the dry needling session, you should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. You may feel increased muscle soreness for 24–36 hours, so it’s important to stay active until you experience the dry needling results. Some bruising may also appear in the treated area, which may last up to a week.

Ready to Relieve Muscle Tension? Book a Physical Therapy Consultation at Empower Fitness

If after learning what dry needling is, you’re ready to take the next step toward a looser, stronger, and more comfortable body, Empower Fitness is here to help with a fully personalized clinical approach!

Serving South Florida, we provide a plan designed around your needs, from releasing deep trigger points to improving mobility and optimizing performance. We also offer in-home physical therapy for patients who prefer care in the comfort of their own space. 

Whether you need help releasing deep trigger points, improving mobility, reducing pain, or optimizing performance, we create a plan built entirely around your goals and your body’s needs.

Book a free consultation today and discover how a professional evaluation can transform your recovery, your well-being, and your movement!

FAQs About Dry Needling

Can I Do Dry Needling at Home?

No, you cannot not try dry needling at home. This technique must be performed by a trained professional.

Does Insurance Typically Cover Dry Needling?

No, insurance doesn’t usually cover dry needling, but it can vary by plan.

Does Dry Needling Get Rid of Inflammation?

No, dry needling does not get rid of inflammation directly. It mainly targets muscle trigger points.