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The original was posted on /r/nfl by /u/Dashk97 on 2025-12-13 01:19:14+00:00.
After hearing the news on TJ Watt, I wanted to share some info for those that are curious about what it entails. I’m a physical therapist certified in my state for dry needling, and I use it regularly in clinical practice.
What is dry needling? Dry needling is a treatment technique that uses a very thin, solid filament needle to target muscle, tendon, or connective tissue in order to reduce pain, normalize muscle activity, and improve movement. It’s called “dry” needling because there is no medication or liquid inside the needle. Unlike an injection, nothing is being delivered into the body. The needle itself is solid, not hollow, which allows it to be extremely small in diameter.
Because of this, dry needling does not cause the same tissue disruption, pain, or systemic effects that people associate with shots or injections. Most patients describe the sensation as pressure, a brief muscle twitch, or temporary soreness rather than sharp pain. The goal is to stimulate a local neuromuscular response, not to inject anything into the tissue.
In rehabilitation settings, dry needling is used as one tool among many. It is commonly paired with therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, mobility work, and movement retraining. In my own clinical experience, I’ve seen particularly strong results in conditions such as cervicogenic headaches, chronic low back pain, persistent muscle spasm, tendon-related injuries, and plantar fasciitis. In many cases, these were patients who had already tried multiple other approaches without meaningful improvement, and dry needling helped unlock progress when combined with other therapy methods.
Safety From a safety standpoint, dry needling has an extremely low rate of serious complications when performed by trained providers. Large studies show that major adverse events are essentially nonexistent in physical therapy practice. One study reviewing over 7,600 dry needling treatments performed by physical therapists reported zero major adverse effects. Minor side effects are more common and typically include temporary soreness, bruising, or localized discomfort. This is often related to the technique used. Physical therapists frequently use methods such as pistoning or fanning within the muscle to achieve a therapeutic response. The resulting soreness is similar to what someone might feel after an intense workout rather than a sign of tissue damage.
Concerns about lung injury are understandable but need context. Pneumothorax is a known but extremely rare complication. Many physical therapists are trained to avoid needling over lung fields altogether. In my own practice, I do not needle directly over thoracic regions where lung tissue could be at risk. When rib or intercostal pain is treated, there are ways to minimize risk, including shallow angles, anatomical positioning, or ultrasound guidance. Even when this complication occurs, it typically leads to observation or short-term hospitalization and is not life-threatening.
Training Physical therapists are extensively trained in musculoskeletal and human anatomy. The majority of PT education is directly connected to understanding muscles, joints, nerves, blood vessels, and how these structures interact during movement. This background makes physical therapists particularly well qualified to use techniques like dry needling safely and appropriately within a rehabilitation plan. I haven’t yet seen what professional was practicing whether it was a PT or team physician but either way, both would be more than qualified.
For those interested in the research of major adverse effects:
Adverse effects of dry needling: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25125935/ adverse effects in acupuncture: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19420954/