Dry Needling: What It Is and Why It Works
If you've ever heard me talk about dry needling, you've probably heard me say that it's one of the most effective tools I use in the clinic.
I've been certified in dry needling since 2017, and it's something I incorporate into treatment almost every day. Yet despite its growing popularity, a lot of people still aren't exactly sure what it is—or how it works.
The most common question I get is, "Is it acupuncture?"
The short answer is no.
While both treatments use similar needles, the philosophy, evaluation process, and treatment goals are very different. Dry needling is based on modern anatomy, neuroscience, and movement science. The goal is to improve muscle function, decrease pain, and restore movement.
What exactly is dry needling?
Dry needling involves inserting a thin, sterile filament needle into a muscle, trigger point, tendon, or other soft tissue structure.
The term "dry" simply means there is no medication being injected.
The goal is to create a response within the tissue that helps decrease pain, reduce muscle tension, improve blood flow, and restore normal movement patterns.
Many patients describe the sensation as a deep ache or muscle twitch. While it can feel a little strange the first time, most people tolerate it very well.
And often, they notice an immediate improvement in how they move afterward.
What does the research say?
Over the last decade, the research supporting dry needling has grown significantly.
A 2023 systematic review published in The Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy found that dry needling can be effective for reducing pain and improving function in patients with musculoskeletal conditions, particularly when combined with exercise and other physical therapy interventions.
That's an important point.
Dry needling is rarely the entire solution.
It's a tool.
A very effective tool, but still just one part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
How does dry needling actually work?
There are several theories, and the answer is probably a combination of multiple mechanisms.
At the local level, dry needling appears to improve circulation and reduce sensitivity within the tissue.
At the muscular level, it can help decrease excessive tension and improve muscle activation.
At the nervous system level, it influences how the brain and spinal cord process pain signals.
In simpler terms, it helps calm things down while creating an opportunity for the body to move better.
And movement is ultimately what drives long-term recovery.
What conditions can dry needling help?
This is where people are often surprised.
Dry needling isn't just for "tight muscles."
At Modern Movement Physical Therapy in Scottsdale, I commonly use dry needling for:
Neck pain and headaches
Low back pain
Shoulder pain
Hip pain
Tendon injuries
Tennis elbow
Plantar fasciitis
Muscle strains
Post-operative stiffness
Every patient is different, so not everyone is an appropriate candidate, but it can be extremely effective when used at the right time.
How I use dry needling in the clinic
One of the biggest misconceptions is that dry needling itself is the treatment.
It's not.
The real treatment is what comes afterward.
For example, let's say someone comes in with shoulder pain. Dry needling may help reduce muscle guarding, improve mobility, and decrease pain.
Once we've created that window of opportunity, we can then perform manual therapy, improve joint mobility, strengthen the appropriate muscles, and correct movement patterns.
That's where the lasting change occurs.
The same principle applies to low back pain, neck pain, hip impingement, and many of the other conditions I treat throughout Scottsdale and Phoenix.
Dry needling helps create the opportunity for better movement. Then we build on it.
The bottom line
Dry needling isn't magic, but sometimes it feels pretty close.
When combined with the right physical therapy program, it can help reduce pain, improve mobility, accelerate recovery, and get people back to doing the things they enjoy.
And that's ultimately the goal.
Not just feeling better for a day or two—but moving better, performing better, and staying active long-term.
Take good care of your body, it's the only one you have.
Yours in health,
Dr. Michael Price