If you’re living with chronic pain or recovering from an injury, you might have heard about dry needling as a powerful tool for relief. But facing a needle can be intimidating, and a common question patients in Morganfield ask us is: Can dry needling make pain worse?
It is a valid concern. After all, the goal of therapy is to feel better, not worse. The short answer is that while some temporary soreness is normal, dry needling should not cause long-term worsening of your condition. In fact, that brief period of “good sore” is often a sign that your muscles are responding exactly how they should.
At Ervin Physical Therapy, Dr. Isaac Ervin and our team believe in total transparency about your treatment. Understanding the difference between normal post-treatment responses and actual adverse effects is key to a successful recovery.
What is Dry Needling and How Does It Work?
Before diving into side effects, it helps to understand what is actually happening during a session. Dry needling involves inserting thin, sterile needles into “trigger points”—tight bands of muscle that can cause pain and restrict movement. Unlike a hypodermic needle used for a flu shot, these needles are solid and don’t inject any medication (hence the term “dry”).
When the needle enters a trigger point, it elicits a “twitch response.” This is a rapid contraction and release of the muscle fiber. This release helps to:
- Reset the muscle to its resting length
- Increase blood flow to the area
- Reduce biochemicals that cause pain
- Restore normal movement
While the procedure is highly effective for conditions like back pain, neck pain, and sports injuries, it is a physical intervention that creates microscopic changes in your tissue. Because of this, your body naturally reacts to the process.
The “Good Sore”: Differentiating Post-Treatment Soreness from Worsening Pain
So, can dry needling make pain worse? Technically, yes, but usually only in the short term and in a specific way. Most patients experience what we call post-needling soreness.
Think about how you feel after a really intense workout at the gym. You might have Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) that makes you stiff and achy for a day or two. Post-needling soreness feels very similar.
Characteristics of Normal Soreness
- Timing: Starts a few hours after treatment and typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours.
- Sensation: Feels like a dull ache, muscle fatigue, or a “bruised” feeling deep in the muscle.
- Mobility: You might feel slightly stiffer initially, but this usually gives way to better range of motion once the soreness fades.
This reaction is actually a positive sign. It indicates that the neuromuscular system has been stimulated and the healing process has begun.
Why Your Symptoms Might Feel Intense Initially
There are a few reasons why you might feel a temporary flare-up or increased sensation after a session.
1. The Twitch Response
The main goal of dry needling is to get that twitch response. While therapeutic, this involuntary contraction can leave the muscle feeling fatigued, much like it ran a sprint. If we treat multiple trigger points in one session, that cumulative fatigue can translate to soreness.
2. Neuromuscular Re-education
Dry needling wakes up dormant or inhibited muscles. When these muscles start firing correctly again, it can change how you move. This adjustment period can sometimes cause temporary discomfort as your body adapts to its new, corrected alignment.
3. De-sensitization
Sometimes, a trigger point is so tight it creates a numbing effect or restricts blood flow significantly. When we release it, sensation rushes back to the area. This can sometimes be interpreted by the brain as an increase in pain, simply because you are feeling more in that area than you were before.
When to Be Concerned: Signs of an Adverse Reaction
While minor side effects like bruising (hematoma), bleeding, and soreness are common (occurring in about 16-36% of cases according to clinical studies), serious complications are rare. However, it is important to know what is not normal so you can seek care if needed.
If you experience any of the following, you should contact your healthcare provider:
- Sharp, stabbing pain that persists long after the needle is removed.
- Shortness of breath or chest pain. (This is extremely rare but can be a sign of pneumothorax if needling occurred around the ribcage/lungs).
- Signs of infection like redness, heat, or swelling at the needle site.
- Significant worsening of symptoms that lasts more than 3 days without improvement.
Rest assured, our certified specialists at Ervin Physical Therapy are highly trained in anatomy and safety protocols to minimize these risks significantly.
How to Minimize Soreness After Dry Needling
You don’t just have to grit your teeth and bear it. There are several actionable steps you can take to manage post-treatment soreness and speed up your recovery.
Hydration is Key
Water helps flush out the metabolic waste products released from the muscles during treatment. Aim to drink plenty of water in the 24 hours following your appointment.
Keep Moving
It might be tempting to sit on the couch, but gentle movement is actually better. Light walking or gentle stretching helps keep blood flowing to the treated muscles, reducing stiffness. Avoid heavy lifting or high-intensity interval training immediately after a session—give your body a day to reset.
Heat Therapy
Applying a heating pad or taking a warm Epsom salt bath can work wonders. Heat encourages muscle relaxation and blood flow, soothing that “gym soreness” feeling. Avoid ice unless specifically instructed, as cold can sometimes cause the muscle to tense up again.
Is Dry Needling Right for You?
Dry needling is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and it is rarely used as a standalone treatment. At our Morganfield clinic, we integrate it into a comprehensive plan that may also include orthopedic therapy, manual therapy, and corrective exercises.
It is particularly effective for:
- Chronic low back pain
- Neck stiffness and headaches
- Tennis elbow
- Sciatica
- Plantar fasciitis
If you have a fear of needles or a medical condition that affects bleeding/clotting, we can explore other effective options like cupping or manual soft tissue mobilization.
Expert Care in Morganfield, KY
Your safety and comfort are our top priorities. We don’t just poke and hope; we assess, plan, and treat with precision. Dr. Isaac Ervin is a certified Dry Needling specialist who understands the intricate anatomy required to perform this treatment safely and effectively.
We have helped hundreds of patients in the Tri-State area move past their fear of needles and into a life with less pain. Our 5-star rating across Google and Facebook speaks to our commitment to patient care.
Taking the Next Step Toward Relief
So, can dry needling make pain worse? Only temporarily, and usually for a good cause—healing. Don’t let the fear of temporary soreness keep you from long-term relief.
If you are dealing with stubborn pain that won’t go away, let’s see if dry needling is the right tool to unlock your recovery.
Ready to get back to feeling your best?
Request an appointment with Ervin Physical Therapy today. Let us help you heal naturally.