One of the questions I get asked most in clinic is, “What exactly is dry needling?” For many people, the thought of needles can sound intimidating, but once they understand how it works and experience the benefits, it’s often one of their favourite treatments.
It involves inserting a fine, sterile, single-use needle into tight muscles or myofascial trigger points; which are those stubborn “muscle knots” that can develop after injury, repetitive movements, poor posture, or even stress.
How does dry needling work?
One of the most interesting parts of dry needling is something called a local twitch response.
When the needle reaches a trigger point, it may cause a brief, involuntary contraction of a small group of muscle fibres. This happens because the needle stimulates sensitive nerve endings and muscle fibres within the trigger point, creating a reflex through the spinal cord. It’s not something you can control, and not every muscle will twitch.
Patients often ask me whether the twitch means the treatment is “working.” While a twitch can be a really positive sign that we’ve targeted an irritable trigger point, it isn’t essential for dry needling to be effective.
The twitch itself doesn’t relax the muscle. Instead, it’s thought to help interrupt the abnormal cycle of sustained muscle contraction that occurs within a trigger point. Following this response:
- Contracted muscle fibres can return closer to their normal resting length.
- Local blood flow improves, delivering oxygen and nutrients while helping remove metabolic waste.
- Pain-producing chemicals within the muscle are reduced.
- The muscle often relaxes, resulting in less pain and improved movement.
Beyond the twitch response, dry needling also influences how the nervous system processes pain. This is one of the reasons many patients notice they can move more freely or comfortably following treatment.
What are the benefits of dry needling?
While every patient responds differently, some of the most common benefits I see in clinic include:
- Reduced muscle tightness and pain.
- Improved flexibility and range of motion.
- Reduced muscle spasms.
- Better muscle function and movement.
- Faster recovery after training or injury.
- Relief from tension headaches and certain types of neck pain.
- Improved outcomes when combined with chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and rehabilitation exercises.
Dry needling isn’t a “quick fix,” but when it’s used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, it can be an incredibly effective tool for helping people move and feel better.
Who can benefit?
I commonly use dry needling with patients experiencing:
- Neck and back pain.
- Shoulder pain and restricted movement.
- Hip and gluteal pain.
- Sports injuries.
- Muscle strains.
- Tennis or golfer’s elbow.
- Jaw muscle tension (TMJ-related pain).
- Tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches.
- Persistent muscle tightness and trigger points.
- Reduced mobility caused by muscular stiffness.
Whether you’re an office worker with tight shoulders, a runner with stubborn calf tightness, a swimmer with posterior shoulder tension, or simply someone dealing with ongoing muscular pain, dry needling may be an appropriate addition to your treatment plan.
Is dry needling safe?
Dry needling is considered a safe procedure when performed by a trained healthcare professional using sterile, single-use needles. Before treatment, I always take a thorough health history to make sure it’s appropriate for you.
Contraindications
Dry needling isn’t suitable in some situations, including:
- Over areas of active infection, open wounds, or compromised skin.
- In areas affected by active lymphoedema.
- Severe needle phobia that makes treatment unsafe.
- Certain medical conditions that require urgent medical management.
Precautions
Additional care may be required if you:
- Take blood-thinning medication or bruise easily.
- Are pregnant (certain areas are avoided).
- Have diabetes with impaired healing or reduced sensation.
- Have a compromised immune system.
- Have a history of fainting with needles.
- Have metal implants or joint replacements near the treatment area.
What should I expect afterwards?
It’s completely normal to feel some muscle soreness after dry needling. Many people describe it as feeling similar to the soreness you get after a workout. This usually settles within 24 to 48 hours.
Some patients feel immediate relief after treatment, while others notice gradual improvement over the following day or two. Everyone responds a little differently, depending on the condition being treated.
To help you get the most out of your treatment, I usually recommend:
- Staying well hydrated.
- Keeping gently active throughout the day rather than resting completely.
- Performing any rehabilitation exercises you’ve been prescribed.
- Avoiding strenuous exercise involving the treated muscles if they’re particularly sore.
- Applying heat if needed to help ease muscle soreness.
If you experience severe pain, increasing swelling, chest pain, difficulty breathing, fever, or any symptoms that concern you after treatment, seek medical attention promptly and let your practitioner know.
My approach to Dry Needling
I don’t see dry needling as a stand-alone treatment. While it can be incredibly effective at reducing muscle tension and pain, the best long-term results come from identifying why the problem developed in the first place.
That’s why I often combine dry needling with chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, mobility work, strengthening exercises, and advice tailored to your lifestyle and goals. My aim isn’t just to help you feel better for a day, it’s to help you move better, recover well, and stay doing the activities you enjoy.
