Enrich Motion - Discover the Benefits of Dry Needling: A Modern Approach to Pain Relief

Discover the Benefits of Dry Needling: A Modern Approach to Pain Relief

Dry needling is a modern, evidence-based technique used by physical therapists to treat myofascial pain and musculoskeletal dysfunction. While dry needling uses thin needles similar to acupuncture, it differs fundamentally in its theoretical foundation: dry needling is rooted in Western anatomical and neurophysiological principles rather than traditional Chinese medicine concepts. By inserting a fine, solid filament needle into trigger points (hyperirritable spots within taut bands of skeletal muscle) this technique can release tension, reduce pain, and significantly improve function.[1][2][3][4]

How Dry Needling Works

The primary goal of dry needling is to create a precise, controlled stimulus that triggers natural healing responses in the body. When a needle is inserted into pathological tissue, it can induce significant changes in pain-related biomarkers, including decreases in substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), while increasing β-endorphins and other anti-inflammatory mediators. Recent research has demonstrated that dry needling reduces muscle thickness and stiffness while enhancing blood perfusion to the affected area.[5][6][7]

The technique works through multiple mechanisms: it modulates pain processing both locally and through central nervous system pathways, reduces local hypersensitivity by increasing pressure pain thresholds, and helps restore normal muscle function. A local twitch response, a brief involuntary muscle contraction when the needle contacts a trigger point, is often elicited during treatment and is associated with therapeutic benefit.[8][1][9][10]

Who Can Benefit from Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a versatile treatment option supported by research across multiple conditions:

Athletes: Dry needling effectively alleviates muscle tightness and treats training-related injuries. A randomized trial in female athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome found that adding dry needling to exercise therapy produced significantly greater improvements in pain, function, and pressure pain thresholds compared to exercise alone. For lateral epicondylalgia (tennis elbow), meta-analysis showed dry needling reduced pain intensity and disability with large effect sizes.[11][12]

Individuals with Chronic Pain: Multiple systematic reviews demonstrate that dry needling improves pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue, stiffness, quality of sleep, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions. One study found significant improvements in pain and fatigue that persisted 6 weeks after treatment completion.[13][14][15]

Post-Surgery Patients: While specific post-surgical research is limited, dry needling's documented effects on pain reduction and improved range of motion suggest potential benefits for surgical recovery when integrated into comprehensive rehabilitation programs.[3]

Tension Headache and Migraine Sufferers: Strong evidence supports dry needling for headache disorders. A 2021 meta-analysis found significant improvements in headache-related disability for tension-type headache and cervicogenic headache in the short term. A randomized trial of 160 patients with chronic tension-type headache demonstrated that trigger point dry needling significantly reduced headache intensity, frequency, and duration while improving quality of life. For migraine, dry needling into neck muscle trigger points significantly reduced headache frequency, intensity, duration, and medication use.[16][17][18]

Those with Limited Range of Motion: Systematic reviews have found strong evidence supporting dry needling to decrease muscle stiffness, reduce spasticity, and increase range of motion. In chronic neck pain patients, dry needling combined with stretching significantly improved neck active range of motion, muscle strength, and perceived disability at both short and long-term follow-ups.[19][7][20]

The Benefits of Dry Needling

Research supports multiple therapeutic benefits of dry needling:

Pain Reduction: A comprehensive meta-analysis found large effect sizes for pain reduction within 72 hours, at 4-12 weeks, and at 13-24 weeks compared to no treatment, sham dry needling, and other therapies. Another review confirmed that dry needling shows superior short-term analgesic effects across all body regions.[3][4]

Improved Range of Motion and Reduced Muscle Stiffness: Studies have demonstrated that dry needling significantly reduces muscle stiffness at 24 and 72 hours after treatment. For chronic low back pain, dry needling significantly improved spinal range of motion at all measurement time points.[7][21]

Enhanced Overall Function: The analgesic effects of dry needling strongly mediate improvements in physical function and disability. Research demonstrates that reductions in pain intensity drive improvements in disability, while increases in pressure pain thresholds (reflecting reduced local hypersensitivity) and gains in range of motion also contribute to better functional outcomes.[8]

What to Expect During Treatment

The fine filament needle used in dry needling is very thin, solid, and flexible, which allows it to be pushed through the skin with minimal discomfort. When the needle is inserted into a trigger point, you may experience a local twitch response which is a brief, momentary sensation that is normal and therapeutic. While you might experience mild soreness or occasional bruising for 1 to 2 days after treatment, many patients report immediate relief and improved movement right after their session.[9][10][7]

Conclusion

Dry needling is a powerful, evidence-based tool in modern physical therapy practice. Research demonstrates that dry needling can offer significant short-term pain relief and improve your quality of life. The technique works through well-documented neurophysiological mechanisms including modulation of pain-related biomarkers, reduction in muscle stiffness, and enhanced tissue perfusion.[3][4][5][6]

As an experienced orthopedic, obstetric, and pelvic floor physical therapist, I integrate dry needling into comprehensive, personalized treatment programs to help my clients achieve optimal outcomes and feel their best.

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References

The Neurophysiological Effects of Dry Needling: An Update of a Narrative Review. De Greef I, Chys M, Gerwin RD, De Meulemeester K, Cagnie B. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 2025;:00002060-990000000-00801. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000002855.
AAPM&R Position Statement on Dry Needling. American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2012).
Is Dry Needling Applied by Physical Therapists Effective for Pain in Musculoskeletal Conditions? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sánchez-Infante J, Navarro-Santana MJ, Bravo-Sánchez A, Jiménez-Diaz F, Abián-Vicén J. Physical Therapy. 2021;101(3):pzab070. doi:10.1093/ptj/pzab070.
Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Patients With Musculoskeletal Pain-an Umbrella Review. Chys M, De Meulemeester K, De Greef I, et al. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023;12(3):1205. doi:10.3390/jcm12031205.
Neurophysiological Effects of Dry Needling: A Systematic Review and Metanalysis. Rabanal-Rodríguez G, Navarro-Santana MJ, Valera-Calero JA, et al. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2025;:S0003-9993(25)00887-1. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2025.08.019.
Ultrasound Features of Myofascial Trigger Points: A Multimodal Study Integrating Preliminary Histological Findings From the Upper Trapezius. Cao W, Yin L, Sun H, et al. Scientific Reports. 2025;15(1):20510. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-05869-2.
Effects of Dry Needling on Muscle Stiffness in Latent Myofascial Trigger Points: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Sánchez-Infante J, Bravo-Sánchez A, Jiménez F, Abián-Vicén J. The Journal of Pain. 2021;22(7):817-825. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2021.02.004.
Unraveling the Mechanisms Behind the Short-Term Effects of Dry Needling: New Insights From a Mediation Analysis With Repeatedly Measured Mediators and Outcomes. Murillo C, Cerezo-Téllez E, Torres-Lacomba M, et al. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2024;105(12):2269-2276. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2024.07.016.
Trigger Point Needling: Techniques and Outcome. Vulfsons S, Ratmansky M, Kalichman L. Current Pain and Headache Reports. 2012;16(5):407-12. doi:10.1007/s11916-012-0279-6.
Comparative Effects of Static, Classical, and Sham Dry Needling on Muscle Properties and Autonomic Nervous System Activity in Cervical Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Olaniszyn G, Kużdżał A, Taradaj J, Trybulski R. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2025;:103314. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103314.
Added Value of Gluteus Medius and Quadratus Lumborum Dry Needling in Improving Knee Pain and Function in Female Athletes With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Zarei H, Bervis S, Piroozi S, Motealleh A. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2020;101(2):265-274. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2019.07.009.
Effects of Trigger Point Dry Needling on Lateral Epicondylalgia of Musculoskeletal Origin: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Navarro-Santana MJ, Sanchez-Infante J, Gómez-Chiguano GF, et al. Clinical Rehabilitation. 2020;34(11):1327-1340. doi:10.1177/0269215520937468.
Efficacy of Dry Needling and Acupuncture in Patients With Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Valera-Calero JA, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Navarro-Santana MJ, Plaza-Manzano G. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022;19(16):9904. doi:10.3390/ijerph19169904.
Improvement in Clinical Outcomes After Dry Needling Versus Myofascial Release on Pain Pressure Thresholds, Quality of Life, Fatigue, Pain Intensity, Quality of Sleep, Anxiety, and Depression in Patients With Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Castro Sánchez AM, García López H, Fernández Sánchez M, et al. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2019;41(19):2235-2246. doi:10.1080/09638288.2018.1461259.
Short-Term Improvement Following Dry Needle Stimulation of Tender Points in Fibromyalgia. Casanueva B, Rivas P, Rodero B, et al. Rheumatology International. 2014;34(6):861-6. doi:10.1007/s00296-013-2759-3.
Dry Needling for the Treatment of Tension-Type, Cervicogenic, or Migraine Headaches: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pourahmadi M, Dommerholt J, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, et al. Physical Therapy. 2021;101(5):pzab068. doi:10.1093/ptj/pzab068.
A Randomized Trial of Trigger Point Dry Needling Versus Sham Needling for Chronic Tension-Type Headache. Gildir S, Tüzün EH, Eroğlu G, Eker L. Medicine. 2019;98(8):e14520. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000014520.
Effects of Dry Needling Technique Into Trigger Points of the Sternocleidomastoid Muscle in Migraine Headache: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Rezaeian T, Mosallanezhad Z, Nourbakhsh MR, Noroozi M, Sajedi F. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 2020;99(12):1129-1137. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000001504.
Effects of Dry Needling on Spasticity and Range of Motion: A Systematic Review. Bynum R, Garcia O, Herbst E, et al. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy : Official Publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association. 2021 Jan-Feb;75(1):7501205030p1-7501205030p13. doi:10.5014/ajot.2021.041798.
Effectiveness of Dry Needling for Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized, Single-Blinded, Clinical Trial. Cerezo-Téllez E, Torres-Lacomba M, Fuentes-Gallardo I, et al. Pain. 2016;157(9):1905-1917. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000591.
The Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Prospective, Randomized, Single-Blinded Study. Rajfur J, Rajfur K, Kosowski Ł, et al. Scientific Reports. 2022;12(1):15803. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-19980-1.

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