Dry Needling: Is This For Me?

By Leigh Ann Vidrine, PT, CMTPT/DN

August 20, 2025

Dry needling is a procedure used to relieve muscle spasms which cause aches and pains. It has become very popular in recent years. If you’re curious about what this therapy is, and if it’s right for you, here’s what you need to know.

What is dry needling?

Trigger points are knotted, tender areas that develop in your muscles due to over-use, poor posture, or straining. These trigger points are very sensitive and can be painful when touched. Sometimes a trigger point is where your pain is, but often they’re referred from another part of your body.

Dry needling is a treatment that healthcare providers use for pain and movement issues associated with myofascial and muscular trigger points (muscle spasms). The therapist inserts a thin needle into or near your trigger point. The needle stimulates your muscle, which causes it to contract and twitch, thus relieving your pain and improving your range of motion.  It’s usually used in conjunction with a larger pain management plan that includes exercise, stretching, soft tissue mobilization, and other techniques.

Physical therapists use these tiny microfilament needles to alleviate your trigger points as it decreases your tightness, increases blood flow, and reduces local and referred pain.

How does dry needling work?

The therapist will locate a trigger point and insert a needle directly into it and may move it around to try to get what’s called a “local twitch response” - a quick spasm of your muscle. This reaction can be a good sign that the muscle is reacting and relaxing.

Some people feel improvement in their pain and mobility almost immediately after a dry needling session. For others, they may notice a few days later that they have less pain, more range of motion, or even strength. It may take more than one session.

What conditions can dry needling help?

Dry needling is an effective treatment for a wide variety of diagnosis including:

·   Spine related pain (neck, lumbar, thoracic)

·   Joint issues (knee pain, tennis elbow, shoulder pain)

·   General musculoskeletal conditions such as fibromyalgia

·   Headaches such as tension, cervicogenic and migraines

·   Jaw and mouth problems, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

At Vidrine Integrative Physical Therapy in Annapolis, we are Certified Dry Needling Specialists, and have had many satisfied patients who’ve found the treatment to be a game-changer in improving their quality of life.