If you’ve been looking for treatment for a stubborn muscle knot, sports injury, trigger point or chronic muscle tension, you’ve probably heard the term dry needling. Dry needling has become increasingly popular because it can be an effective way to address muscle pain and injuries. In Oregon, acupuncturists have been practicing dry needling for years and the state is currently establishing the rules that will govern physical therapists’ use of dry needling.
What exactly is dry needling? Dry needling is a technique that uses very thin, solid needles to stimulate areas of muscle and connective tissue. Unlike an injection, there is no medication being injected into the body. That is why it is called “dry” needling.
A practitioner may use a needle to target a tight band of muscle, a trigger point or an area of dysfunctional tissue. The goal may be to reduce muscle tension, improve mobility, decrease pain or help restore normal movement. Dry needling is commonly used in the treatment of conditions like neck and shoulder pain, low back pain, muscle strains, tendon and muscle problems, trigger points and repetitive-use injuries.
When a clinician evaluates and determines a diagnosis, that diagnosis will then be used to guide treatment. For instance, a neck pain diagnosis might be due to particular muscles that attach to the back of the skull. Once this is determined, dry needling will be used to directly target those muscles. Targeting might include particularly sore or tight regions of the muscles or it might target trigger points or motor points. Sometimes the clinician might treat other muscles in the region or even opposing muscle groups to achieve better results.
Dry needling and acupuncture are very similar but not identical practices. Both use very thin needles inserted directly into the body, targeting muscles and other connective tissues, and both can be used to address musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. An acupuncturist may use direct muscular needling which is considered dry needling or they may choose to use more traditional acupuncture points. In fact, when I’m treating I generally use a combination of dry needling and traditional acupuncture points. This is what I have found to be the most effective and most tolerated treatment style for my patients. Other clinicians will only use dry needling of tissues directly or may only use traditional acupuncture points.
Oregon’s definition of acupuncture specifically recognizes that acupuncture needles may be inserted into the skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle layers and fascia, as well as near joint spaces, depending on the practitioner’s clinical assessment. Acupuncturists receive specialized education in acupuncture as well as extensive training in anatomy, needling techniques, safety and the assessment and treatment of the body.
Some acupuncturists also develop a particular specialty in musculoskeletal acupuncture and sports medicine acupuncture, with extensive hands-on experience treating muscles, tendons, fascia, trigger points and injuries.
Oregon has recently passed legislation specifically addressing dry needling by physical therapists. Under House Bill 3824, a physical therapist will be permitted to perform dry needling as defined by the Oregon Board of Physical Therapy. The law also directs the Board to establish rules, including training requirements, for physical therapists who perform the procedure. We are currently in a transition period and the new dry needling authority for physical therapists does not begin until July 1, 2027. The law has been passed, but the detailed rules governing how physical therapists will perform dry needling are still being developed.
In coming, years more and more physical therapists will be offering dry needling. While we don’t know what their training will be, the hope is that it will be rigorous enough to ensure the safety of all patients. In the meantime, Oregon acupuncturists already have an established scope of practice that includes needling into muscle and fascia, and patients looking specifically for dry needling can seek out an acupuncturist with advanced musculoskeletal training. Searching for terms like sports medicine acupuncture and acupuncture dry needling will be helpful in finding clinicians currently practicing these styles of acupuncture.
Oliver Leonetti LA SMAC
Inner Gate Health & Wellness
innergatepdx.com
503.284.6996
Editor’s note: Wellness Word is an informational column which is not meant to replace a healthcare professional’s diagnosis, treatment or medication.