Does dry needling hurt?

Some people feel a brief prick, aching, or a muscle twitch during treatment. Temporary soreness can also occur afterward. Let your therapist know how you are feeling throughout treatment so they can assess your response.

Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?

No. Both use thin needles, but their approaches and treatment frameworks differ. In physical therapy, dry needling is used to address selected muscle and movement-related concerns as part of a rehabilitation plan.

How many dry needling sessions will I need?

There is no single schedule that fits everyone. Recommendations depend on your symptoms, evaluation, goals, and response to care. Your therapist can discuss an initial plan and reassess it as treatment progresses.

Can dry needling help with sports rehabilitation?

Dry needling may be considered when muscle-related pain or tightness is affecting movement. Whether it belongs in your sports rehabilitation plan depends on your evaluation. Rehabilitation may also include strength, mobility, and activity-specific exercises to support your goals.

Can I receive dry needling after surgery?

Recent surgery requires additional consideration. Your treating clinician will need to consider your stage of healing, surgical restrictions, and medical history before recommending treatment. Dry needling should not replace your prescribed postoperative rehabilitation.

Are there risks or side effects?

Possible side effects include soreness, bruising, and minor bleeding. Less common complications include infection or injury to nearby structures. Serious complications, such as a punctured lung, are rare but possible. Your provider should explain the risks relevant to the treatment area and your health history before you consent.

Is dry needling covered by insurance?

Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary. Contact ReLive before scheduling to discuss payment questions, and confirm your specific coverage with your insurance provider.

Do all ReLive locations offer dry needling?

Treatment and provider availability may vary by location. Contact our team to confirm dry needling availability at your preferred clinic and arrange the appropriate appointment.

Dry Needling Therapy Services | Relive Physical Therapy | Bloomingdale, IL & Crown Point, IN

Dry needling is a treatment that uses a thin, sterile needle to target selected muscles and trigger points—sensitive areas commonly described as muscle knots. The needle does not inject medication.

Physical therapists may use dry needling to help address muscle-related pain, tightness, and limited movement. It is generally incorporated into a broader physical therapy plan that may also include therapeutic exercise, stretching, and hands-on treatment.

At ReLive Physical Therapy, the goal is to connect treatment to what matters to you: moving more comfortably, participating in daily activities, and working toward your recovery goals.

When muscle pain or stiffness limits your movement, dry needling may be one option within your rehabilitation plan. Depending on your evaluation, treatment goals may include:

Reducing muscle-related pain and discomfort.
Easing tightness in selected muscles.
Improving range of motion.
Making rehabilitation exercises more manageable.
Supporting a return to everyday activities and exercise.

Your response to treatment may differ from someone else’s. Your therapist will consider your symptoms, medical history, and progress when recommending whether to include or continue dry needling.

ReLive Physical Therapy evaluates patients with a variety of concerns, including:

Neck pain and muscle tension.
Low back pain.
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow.
Hip, buttock, and groin discomfort.
Muscle tightness associated with sports or repetitive activities.
Persistent muscle-related pain and movement limitations.

These symptoms can have different causes. Having pain in one of these areas does not automatically mean dry needling is the right treatment.

An evaluation helps your therapist understand what may be contributing to your discomfort, which movements are affected, and what approach fits your needs.

Therapeutic exercise

Manual therapy

Activity guidance

Progress Toward Work-Related Goals

Does dry needling hurt?
Some people feel a brief prick, aching, or a muscle twitch during treatment. Temporary soreness can also occur afterward. Let your therapist know how you are feeling throughout treatment so they can assess your response.
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
No. Both use thin needles, but their approaches and treatment frameworks differ. In physical therapy, dry needling is used to address selected muscle and movement-related concerns as part of a rehabilitation plan.
How many dry needling sessions will I need?
There is no single schedule that fits everyone. Recommendations depend on your symptoms, evaluation, goals, and response to care. Your therapist can discuss an initial plan and reassess it as treatment progresses.
Can dry needling help with sports rehabilitation?
Dry needling may be considered when muscle-related pain or tightness is affecting movement. Whether it belongs in your sports rehabilitation plan depends on your evaluation. Rehabilitation may also include strength, mobility, and activity-specific exercises to support your goals.
Can I receive dry needling after surgery?
Recent surgery requires additional consideration. Your treating clinician will need to consider your stage of healing, surgical restrictions, and medical history before recommending treatment. Dry needling should not replace your prescribed postoperative rehabilitation.
Are there risks or side effects?
Possible side effects include soreness, bruising, and minor bleeding. Less common complications include infection or injury to nearby structures. Serious complications, such as a punctured lung, are rare but possible.

Your provider should explain the risks relevant to the treatment area and your health history before you consent.
Is dry needling covered by insurance?
Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary. Contact ReLive before scheduling to discuss payment questions, and confirm your specific coverage with your insurance provider.
Do all ReLive locations offer dry needling?
Treatment and provider availability may vary by location. Contact our team to confirm dry needling availability at your preferred clinic and arrange the appropriate appointment.