Is dry needling safe? Risks, side effects and who should avoid it

Dry needling is one of the most effective tools we have for a stubborn muscle knot, and one of the most asked-about. The short answer is that it is a low-risk treatment when it is performed by a trained practitioner using single-use sterile needles, and the common side effects are mild and short-lived. Here is what to expect and who needs to tell us something first.

What dry needling is

A fine, solid needle is placed into a trigger point, a tight, tender band within a muscle that refers pain elsewhere. Nothing is injected, which is where the word “dry” comes from. The needle causes a small local twitch response, after which the muscle usually relaxes and the referred pain eases. At Active Performance Clinic it is used within a remedial massage session rather than on its own, and there is no extra charge.

Common side effects

• Post-needling soreness. A dull ache in the treated muscle, like the day after a hard workout, for 24 to 48 hours. Gentle movement, heat and water help.
• A small bruise at the needle site, more likely on the forearms, calves and upper trapezius.
• Feeling tired or light-headed for a short while after treatment, more common on an empty stomach or after a big session. Tell us if you feel faint; lying down for a few minutes fixes it.
• Brief twitching or a feeling of heaviness in the muscle for the rest of the day.

Rare risks

Serious complications are rare, and the ones that matter are avoidable with good technique. The main one is pneumothorax, a puncture of the lung lining, which is why needling around the chest wall, upper back and shoulders is done at shallow angles and depths by practitioners trained in the anatomy. Infection is very unlikely with single-use sterile needles and clean skin. Nerve irritation is uncommon and usually settles within days.

Who should tell us before treatment

Dry needling is still often possible, but we adjust the plan or choose another technique if you:

• take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder,
• are pregnant,
• have a pacemaker or implanted device,
• have a needle phobia, a history of fainting with needles, or an active skin infection in the area,
• have a weakened immune system, lymphoedema, or have had lymph nodes removed in the region,
• have epilepsy, or are unwell on the day.

If you simply prefer not to be needled, say so. Remedial massage, myofascial release and cupping reach the same trigger points more slowly, and your practitioner will plan around your preference.

Practitioner training

Our practitioners hold Advanced Myofascial Dry Needling qualifications on top of their Diploma of Remedial Massage, use single-use sterile needles, and will explain each needle before it goes in. Ask any questions you like during the session; the treatment works best when you are relaxed.