What Is Dry Needling?
- Dinell Jacobson
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Muscle pain, tension, and tightness can feel like they have a mind of their own, often lingering long after an injury or a long day at work. Whether it’s a stubborn knot in your back, a tight shoulder, or recurring headaches, the discomfort can prevent you from enjoying daily activities or achieving your fitness goals.One treatment that’s gaining traction for its ability to relieve these persistent muscle issues is dry needling. It’s a powerful tool used by licensed physical therapists that targets muscle dysfunction directly, helping to break the cycle of pain and tightness. By using thin needles to stimulate specific points in the muscle, dry needling encourages your body to heal naturally, often offering quicker relief than traditional therapies.
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling involves inserting a very thin, sterile needle into a tight area within the muscle, known as a trigger point. These trigger points are areas of muscle fibers that become “locked” due to factors like injury, overuse, or poor posture, causing pain, stiffness, and sometimes even referred pain in other parts of the body.Unlike acupuncture, which is based on the concept of energy flow and uses a holistic approach, dry needling focuses directly on relieving muscle dysfunction. When the needle is inserted into the muscle, it creates a small localized reaction that helps release the tension within the muscle fibers.
What Are The Benefits of Dry Needling?
Increased blood flow: The needle improves circulation, which helps the tissue heal faster by bringing in oxygen and nutrients and removing waste products.
Reduced muscle tightness: The needle stimulates the muscle, helping to “unlock” the knot and relieve the tension that’s been holding the muscle in a contracted state.
Pain reduction: The needle may stimulate the body’s natural release of pain-relieving chemicals like endorphins and serotonin, helping to reduce pain and improve overall comfort.
Improved range of motion: As the muscle tension releases, you may experience greater flexibility and a better ability to move without discomfort.
In short, dry needling works by directly targeting areas of tension and initiating a healing response in the body, allowing you to move and feel better.
What Does Dry Needling Feel Like?
The accupuncture needles used for dry needling are very thin. The width of about 2-3 human hairs. When the needle is inserted, you may feel a small twitch or mild ache—this is known as the “local twitch response” and indicates that the muscle is responding to the treatment. It’s completely normal and often a sign that the treatment is effective.
Afterward, some patients experience a mild soreness (similar to what you’d feel after a deep tissue massage), but this usually goes away within 24–48 hours. Many people report feeling significantly better after the session, with a noticeable decrease in muscle tightness and pain.
What Conditions Does Dry Needling Help With?
Dry needling can address a wide variety of conditions that involve muscle pain, tightness, and dysfunction, such as:
Chronic or acute neck and back pain
Shoulder tension and rotator cuff issues
Headaches and migraines
TMJ (jaw pain and tension)
Sciatica
Hip and glute pain
Tennis or golfer’s elbow
Plantar fasciitis (foot pain)
Muscle strains from overuse or poor posture
It’s also helpful for athletes who want to recover faster and relieve tightness from intense training or competition.
How Is Dry Needling Different from Acupuncture?
Although both dry needling and acupuncture use the same types of needles, they are quite different in their goals and philosophies:
Dry needling is grounded in Western medicine. It specifically targets muscle pain and dysfunction by focusing on trigger points and tight muscle areas.
Acupuncture, originating from traditional Chinese medicine, is designed to balance the body’s energy, by inserting needles into specific meridian points on the body to improve overall health and well-being.
In essence, dry needling is focused purely on musculoskeletal pain and physical function, while acupuncture works on energy flow and overall balance.
Do I Need a Full Physical Therapy Program to Try Dry Needling?
While dry needling is often used as part of a broader physical therapy program, it can also be used on its own depending on your needs and goals. For some, dry needling provides immediate relief from pain and muscle tension without the need for a full treatment plan. However, for a more comprehensive recovery—especially in cases of ongoing pain or injury—dry needling can be combined with other physical therapy techniques like exercise, stretching, or manual therapy to address the root causes of discomfort and improve long-term function.
True Health Centers offers both options, and we'll work with you to determine the best approach to get you feeling better and moving more freely!
Is Dry Needling Safe?
Absolutely. Dry needling is a safe procedure when performed by a licensed physical therapist who has received specialized training in the technique. It’s important to have a trained professional who understands the anatomy of your muscles and how to safely apply the treatment.
Quick, Convenient, and Effective
Another reason dry needling is becoming so popular is its convenience. Sessions are typically short—approximately 30 minutes—making it easy to fit into your busy schedule. Many patients experience noticeable relief in just one or two sessions, and the treatment can often be a powerful tool for long-term pain management or recovery.
Ready to Try Dry Needling?
If you’ve been struggling with persistent muscle pain, tightness, or tension, dry needling could be the solution you’ve been looking for. It’s a safe, effective treatment that can bring real relief without the need for invasive procedures or long recovery times. Schedule an appointment and give it a try!