Dry needling—also known as trigger‑point dry needling or intramuscular stimulation (IMS)—is a minimally invasive technique used by physical therapists and other clinicians to treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.
It involves inserting sterile, thin, filiform needles into myofascial trigger points—taut bands of muscle that can cause pain locally and referred pain in other regions.
Unlike acupuncture, dry needling is grounded in Western medicine. It focuses specifically on musculoskeletal structures using orthopedic assessments rather than traditional Chinese medicine or energy meridians.
Dry needling is a therapeutic technique use for pain and movement issues related with myofascial trigger points. In this technique, therapist inserts thin needles into or near the myofascial trigger points or the affected muscles. The needles stimulate the targeted muscles, results in twitching and contraction of those targeted muscles. It helps in relieving the pain and improve the restricted range of motion. It also helps to reduce local and referred pain, decrease tightness, increase blood flow.
Over time, two main categories developed:
- Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS): Pioneered by Chan Gunn, treating musculature broadly before focusing on trigger points.
- Trigger‑point dry needling : Direct needling into a taut muscle knot, with the goal of disrupting tension and eliciting localized twitch responses.
Benefits of Dry Needling
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- Myofascial trigger points
- Postural neck pain
- Chronic pain
- Low back pain
- Strains
- Osteoarthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Tendinopathies
- Disc issues
- Migraine and tension-type headaches.
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Spinal issues
- Pelvic pain
- Night cramps
Musculoskeletal Pain and Disorders
- Neck Pain and Back Pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Knee Pain
- Hip Pain
Sports Injuries and Overuse Conditions
- Post-Injury Muscle Loss
- Sarcopenia
- Spinal Cord Injury and Neuromuscular
Chronic Pain Conditions
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Tension and Migraine Headaches
Joint and Nerve Related Issues
- Sciatica
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- TMJ (Jaw Pain and Dysfunction)
Frequently Asked Questions
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Our Specialists
Dry needling helps in treating different conditions -
Uses of Dry Needling
Dry needling is used to treat a range of musculoskeletal conditions, including:
- Myofascial pain syndrome (trigger points in neck, shoulders, back).
- Chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, tension headaches, and chronic low back pain.
- Sport-related injuries: tennis elbow, shin splints, hamstring strains, and post-surgical stiffness.
- Postural dysfunction and resulting compensation patterns .
- Scar tissue and neural restrictions —used occasionally when conventional therapies plateau .
Here’s a detailed breakdown of conditions treated by dry needling, along with its contraindications, categorized for clarity:
Conditions Treated (Indications)
Dry needling is primarily used to address musculoskeletal and neuromuscular dysfunctions, particularly those involving myofascial trigger points. Common conditions include:
Musculoskeletal Pain & Trigger Points
- Myofascial pain syndrome (tight muscle knots causing local or referred pain).
- Acute or chronic neck and lower back pain.
- Tendinopathies: tennis/golfer’s elbow, Achilles tendonitis.
- Osteoarthritis and joint-related pain.
Sports & Overuse Injuries
- Muscle strains, shin splints, hamstring tension
- Scar tissue mobilization and post-surgical stiffness.
- Spasticity (as part of multidisciplinary rehab).
Nerve & Neural Conditions
- Sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome.
- Referred headache or migraine pain
Other Therapeutic Uses
- Frozen shoulder, TMJ dysfunction, pelvic pain, nighttime cramps, post-herpetic neuralgia.
- Fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain
Contraindications
1. Absolute Contraindications
These are clear “do not perform” situations due to potential serious harm:
- Needle phobia or unwillingness
- Inability to consent (due to age, cognitive impairment, fear)
- Active infection, open wounds, or tumors at the site
- Localized edema or lymphedema (risk of cellulitis)
- On anticoagulants or with bleeding disorders/backed by thrombocytopenia
- During pregnancy, especially first trimester
- Medical emergencies or acute systemic illness
2. Relative Contraindications
Proceed with extra caution after evaluating risks vs benefits:
- Compromised immune system (e.g. HIV, cancer, diabetes, immunosuppressive therapy)
- Vascular conditions (varicose veins, poor circulation)
- Diabetes (due to neuropathy, microvascular issues)
- Epilepsy (rare seizure trigger)
- Frailty or extreme age
- Pregnancy in later trimesters (especially abdominal/lumbar needling)
- Allergic reactions to metals
- Recent surgery (<4 months at needling site)
- Mental health conditions (phobia, anxiety)
- Anatomical risks: near lungs (pneumothorax), nerves, major vessels, organs.
3. Safety & Risks
Dry needling is generally considered safe under proper aseptic protocols. Common minor side effects include:
- Soreness, bruising, fatigue, and occasional fainting.
- Rare severe risks: pneumothorax, nerve or organ injury, infection transmission.
Benefits of Dry Needling
1. Pain Relief
By deactivating trigger points, dry needling reduces local and referred pain. Meta‑analyses demonstrate pain reduction shortly after treatment and up to 12 weeks, compared to sham or no treatment.
2. Improved Mobility & Range of Motion
Treatment can restore flexibility and joint range by relaxing tight muscles around stiff areas.
3. Increased Blood Flow & Healing
Needle insertion provokes localized microtrauma and improved circulation, supporting tissue healing.
4. Accelerated Recovery
Particularly valuable for athletes, dry needling helps resolve tightness quickly and supports rehabilitation alongside exercise protocols .
5. Reduced Medication Dependence
As a drug‑free therapy, it provides analgesia through endogenous opioids, reducing reliance on NSAIDs or pain meds.
6. Complement to Rehabilitation
When combined with manual therapy and therex, dry needling enhances functional outcomes by facilitating active participation in rehab .
Types of Dry Needling
- Superficial Dry Needling (SAS) : Involves inserting needles just beneath the skin—less invasive, typically fewer side effects .
- Deep Dry Needling (IMS/Trigger‑point): Deeper insertion into tight muscle bands to elicit a local twitch response (LTR), often leading to improved effectiveness.
- Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) : A broader muscle approach focusing on overall muscle tension before isolating trigger points.
Importance of Dry Needling in Physiotherapy
Dry needling plays a strategic role in modern physiotherapy by:
- Providing rapid symptom relief , enabling patients to engage in therapy earlier.
- Enhancing rehabilitation efficiency, supporting muscle retraining and movement correction.
- Offering a non-pharmacological option amidst growing concern about medication side effects and opioid use.
- Being adaptable across various conditions—from acute injuries to chronic syndromes—when tailored individually.
How DMPhysios Uses Dry Needling
At DMPhysios , dry needling forms part of a holistic approach to patient care:
1. Comprehensive Assessment
DMPhysios begins with a detailed evaluation of posture, biomechanics, movement, and pain patterns to pinpoint trigger points and underlying drivers of dysfunction.
2. Customized Protocols
- Targeted sessions for specific injuries (e.g., rotator cuff, hamstring strains, or chronic lower back pain).
- Layered treatment : starting with superficial needling, progressing to deep IMS/trigger-point techniques as needed.
3. Integrated Rehabilitation
Dry needling is combined with:
- Manual soft tissue mobilization
- Neuromuscular re-education
- Therapeutic exercises to consolidate gains and promote long‑term functional improvement
4. Patient Education
DMPhysios ensures patients understand what to expect, including post-needling soreness, and provides home-care strategies (stretching, hydration, gentle movement) to enhance outcomes.
5. Monitoring & Safety Measures
Strict adherence to infection control, sterile needle use, and patient feedback protocols minimizes risks and ensures optimal results.
6. Outcome Tracking
Improvements are monitored in:
- Pain levels
- Range of motion
- Functional capacity
- Quality of life
Feedback loops guide treatment adjustment, ensuring efficacy over time.
Dry Needling
Dry needling is a therapeutic technique use for pain and movement issues related with myofascial trigger points. In this technique, therapist inserts thin needles into or near the myofascial trigger points or the affected muscles. The needles stimulate the targeted muscles, results in twitching and contraction of those targeted muscles. It helps in relieving the pain and improve the restricted range of motion. It also helps to reduce local and referred pain, decrease tightness, increase blood flow.
Dry needling helps in treating different conditions –
- Myofascial trigger points
- Postural neck pain
- Chronic pain
- Low back pain
- Strains
- Osteoarthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Tendinopathies
- Disc issues
- Migraine and tension-type headaches.
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Spinal issues
- Pelvic pain
- Night cramps
Musculoskeletal Pain and Disorders
- Neck Pain and Back Pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Knee Pain
- Hip Pain
Sports Injuries and Overuse Conditions
- Tennis/Golfers Elbow
- Shin Splints
- Plantar Fascitis
- Hamstring and Quadriceps Strains
Chronic Pain Conditions
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Tension and Migraine Headaches
Joint and Nerve Related Issues
- Sciatica
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- TMJ (Jaw Pain and Dysfunction)
Book a Consultation:
(For In-Clinic Appointments)
Monday
9 am to 8 pm
Tuesday
9 am to 8 pm
Wednesday
9 am to 8 pm
Thursday
9 am to 8 pm
Friday
9 am to 8 pm
Saturday
9 am to 8 pm
Sunday
9 am to 8 pm