Dry Needling

What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a technique that uses thin, solid filiform needles (commonly called “dry needles”) inserted into trigger points within the muscles. The term “dry” refers to the fact that these needles do not inject any substances—they are solid stainless steel and not coated with medication. The therapy relies on the mechanical stimulation of the needle itself to elicit a therapeutic response.

Dry needling is also known as intramuscular stimulation (IMS) or trigger point therapy. It is widely practiced as a modern, Western approach to pain relief and is supported by emerging research. The technique of trigger point therapy was pioneered by Dr. Janet Travell, who was influenced by traditional acupuncture. She described dry needling as a Western medical interpretation of acupuncture principles.

In the acupuncture community, dry needling is essentially what we refer to as orthopedic or sports acupuncture. The needles are the same, the points are often the same, and the intended outcomes—reducing pain, improving function—are also the same. Much of today’s dry needling research mirrors earlier acupuncture studies.

The main difference lies in training and scope. Licensed acupuncturists trained in orthopedic or sports acupuncture typically complete hundreds of hours of needle-specific education. In contrast, non-acupuncturist practitioners offering dry needling often receive only 25–30 hours of needle training, with requirements varying by state. Any acupuncturist certified in orthopedic or sports acupuncture can be considered an expert in dry needling techniques.

What Are Trigger Points?

Trigger points are hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that are tender to the touch or pressure. They can develop in response to muscle overuse, strain, trauma, or inflammation. Stimulating these points with a needle can cause the muscle to twitch and release, helping to relieve tightness, pain, and dysfunction. This is commonly referred to as myofascial trigger point therapy, neuromuscular trigger point release, or myofascial release.

Conditions Commonly Treated with Dry Needling / Sports Acupuncture:

  • Pain from auto injuries

  • Headaches and migraines

  • Neck pain (acute or chronic)

  • Low back pain (acute or chronic)

  • Sciatica

  • TMJ dysfunction

  • Sports injuries

  • Osteoarthritis

  • and more

How Is Acupuncture Different from Dry Needling?
The main difference is that acupuncture is a comprehensive medical system with multiple theories, traditions, and treatment approaches—including Chinese meridian theory, Five Element acupuncture, Japanese acupuncture, and orthopedic/sports medicine acupuncture.

Dry needling, by contrast, is a specific subset of acupuncture—what we in the field call orthopedic or sports acupuncture. It was adapted from acupuncture and mimics this style exactly. Only acupuncturists who specialize in sports or orthopedic acupuncture are truly practicing what dry needling represents. Practitioners who use other acupuncture systems, such as meridian-based or Five Element theory, are not performing dry needling—but they are still practicing effective, evidence-informed acupuncture.