HOW CAN DRY
NEEDLING HELP?
Dry needling is a precise technique that targets muscle tension to reduce pain and improve movement. This page covers what it is, how it works, how it differs from “wet needling” and acupuncture, what to expect during a session, common sensations (like the deep ache), potential risks, and why an IDN-trained clinician matters—so you can decide if it’s right for your recovery or performance goals.
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What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a clinical treatment that utilizes a very small diameter needle placed into painful soft tissue (muscles, tendons, capsules, ligaments, etc).
The placement of the needle is based on the patient's unique evaluation findings to directly address each patient's pain and dysfunction.
The small needle used in dry needling
varies in length depending on where in
the body the needle is placed- safety is
always the main focus of treatment!
How can Dry Needling help you?
There are many benefits of dry needling because it manages soft tissue inflammation and positively influences the function of your nervous system!
Some of the benefits you will experience with dry needling treatment:
- Improved blood flow
- Release of tension in muscles
- Decreased pain
- Increase in range of motion
- Increase in muscle strength
- Improved daily function
Is Dry Needling the same as acupuncture?
No, Dry Needling is not the same as acupuncture.
Acupuncture uses eastern medicine principles like meridans and qi that were developed thousands of years ago to treat physical, mental and emotional pathologies.
Dry Needling utilizes the western medicine principles like neurology, physiology, and anatomy to treat neuro-physiological pathologies like decreased mobility, strength, function and pain.
While Acupuncuture and dry needling
may utilize the same monofilament
needle, their ideology and treatment
approach is significantly different.
What is the difference between Dry Needling and wet needling?
Dry Needling uses a solid, monofilament needle that is inserted into soft tissue. This needle diameter typically ranges from .15mm to .35mm (much smaller than a wet needle) and can result in some post-needling soreness, or leave some mild bruising.
Wet Needling uses a hollow bore needle that is required to deliver injectate (fluid) like corticosteriods, anesthetics or other substances. The needle diameter is typically much larger than a dry needle (.5mm to 1mm)
Whenever medication is added to the
treatment, the likelihood of side effects like
skin discoloration or tissue damage increases.
Dry Needling does not produce significant
side effects like these.
Afraid of needles?
If you are afraid of getting needled, not to worry-
we understand and we got you!
Dry Needling is such a powerful tool that we can use to help alleviate your pain and we want to assure you are as comfortable as possible. Before we begin we will explain the process step by step so that you know exactly what to expect during the treatment.
You should know that dry needling does not have to be painful- in fact we use specific techniques designed to minimize your discomfort.
We are experts in dry needling and will work
with you to get the pain relief and results
you deserve
Who can Dry Needle and what does their training look like?
In many states, many medical providers have the legal right to perform dry needling treatment, including Physical (PT) and occupational therapists (OT), chiropractors (DC), and Physicians.
PT, OT and DCs have attended 6-8 years of higher education to study the function of the human body and its anatomy.
In order to practice dry needling our clinicians participated in continuing education course work that provided them the advanced knowledge and psychomotor skills required to safely and effectively deliver dry needle treatment to our patients.