Does dry needling really relieve pain?

by · Australian Financial Review

Andrea Javor
May 3, 2026 – 3.43pm

Over the past decade, a strange practice has worked its way into physical therapy offices. It’s not exactly acupuncture but still involves a therapist sticking tiny needles under your skin and letting you suffer for a short time.

Dry needling – the insertion of ultrathin needles into trigger points to loosen them – was codified by the American Medical Association as an acceptable form of therapy in 2016. Since then, it has become a standard part of orthopaedic care, with superstar athletes including Travis Kelce and Caitlin Clark using the treatment for recovery and maintenance.

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