Needling the needy for pain erasure


1.What is dry needling technique (DNT)?

Dry needling technique is an innovative treatment technique, in which a solid filament acupuncture needle (mono filament needle) is advanced to the muscle to target the myofascial trigger point in order to deactivate and release them. It is a very effective and efficient way of treating myofascial trigger points, taut band, muscular tightness and dysfunction. In recent years dry needling is being used for varieties of other soft tissues like fascia, ligaments, tendons etc.

2.How Dry Needling is different from Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is based on Chinese traditional concepts in which athin needle is inserted to stimulate certain acupuncture points along theenergy meridians passing all over the body. Various acupuncture points will be stimulated simultaneously by in order to unblock the energy. Acupuncture claims to treat any ailments in the human body but dry needling is mainly used for musculoskeletal pain management. Dry Needling is purely based on musculoskeletal anatomy and neurophysiologic principles, which is totally scientific in nature. Dry needling brings out a positive mechanical, biochemical and neurological changes in the body to alleviate the pain and assist in the recovery process.

3. How these techniques work?

Dr. Janet and Dr. Travel initially used trigger point injection to deactivate myofascial trigger points. Later acupuncture needles were used without any injections (hence called as Dry needling) to get the same therapeutic effect. These needles, when inserted on the trigger points, gives a mechanical stimulus to the trigger point to result in Local Twitch Response (LTR). This LTR is an involuntary response, which is presumed to be the most important aspect in obtaining a successful outcome by deactivating Trigger points. Dry Needling would break these trigger point knots in the muscle, thereby releasing pain and restoring the normal mechanical properties of the muscle. Adding to this, dry needling will cause a positive biochemical changes, enhances blood flow and helps in releasing pain deactivating chemicals from Brain (Descending Pain Inhibition).

4. What are the conditions that could be treated with Intramuscular Dry Needling?

Any musculoskeletal conditions shall be treated by Dry Needling. It includes Repetitive stress injuries, Fibromyalgia, Regional pain syndromes, Head ache, Jaw Pain, Tennis elbow, Painful and stiff shoulder, Spondylosis, Disc Pain, Piriformis Syndrome, Abdominal wall pain, Dequervain’s tenosynovitis, Patello-femoral Pain Syndrome, arthritis knee, Plantar Fasciitis, Sports injuries, Post-operative and Post Immobilization Stiffness, etc.

5. How safe is this procedure and will it be painful?

Physiotherapists, who are specifically trained and certified will have skills for an effective and safe needling. The needles are so thin that it cannot do lasting damages to the body structures. But, it requires proficient anatomical knowledge along with correct diagnosis and reasoning skills to use this technique diligently. The technique should be done by a qualified physiotherapist who had undergone proper training.

During the procedure, the patient may feel a light prick when the needle is pierced in to the skin and after the needled is penetrated inside the muscle, there will be a mild dull aching pain. Often times, patients also can feel mild jerk of the muscle being treated during the procedure. It is called as local twitch response (LTR) that is usually associated with positive outcome. Some people may feel their pain referring to distant areas from the muscle, which is a good and desirable reaction for the technique. As time proceeds, the patient may not be aware of the needle in his body. After the procedure, mild soreness would persist for a day and would vanish from thereon. This is called as needle soreness, which should not be concerned of.

6.How long the treatment duration should be and how many sessions required?

Each session will approximately range between 10-15 mins. The number of needles, depth of penetration, and frequency of sessions may vary from patient to patient based on their clinical presentations and chronicity of their condition. Often the patient tends to get significant pain relief with first session itself.

7. Is DNT falling within the scope of physiotherapy?

It is a minimally invasive and maximally efficient technique for myofascial musculoskeletal pain. It is considered to be a part of physical therapy treatment. Countries like United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and UK have approved this technique and passed laws stating that dry needling is falling under the scope of physical therapy. Hence any independent physical therapist can employ this technique provided they finished the dry needling course and got certified by a school. Few years back American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) release a positional statement stating that dry needling is under the scope of physiotherapy. Find the link here.http://www.apta.org/StateIssues/DryNeedling/ClinicalPracticeResourcePaper/

8.How many days will I need to learn this technique and where can I learn?

It takes 5 days to complete both the modules. Both modules will be conducted in a minimum span of six month. After that the participants should take our theory and practical exam and should pass both to obtain the licensure. We offer a high quality comprehensive Dry Needling Course at par with international standards with low cost to physiotherapists. As a preparatory course, we conduct muscle palpation courses to improve the diagnostic and therapeutic accuracy.

We conduct courses predominantly in India and upon request you will be travelling to other countries to conduct the course. If you want to host a course at your place, do contact us.



  • "Dry Needling Module 1"
    RMV Hospital, Bangalore
    25,26, January,2020
    Dr. Anagha - 9845866837

  • "Dry Needling Module 2"
    Hotel Simson, Chennai
    7,8,9, February,2020
    Dr. Lokesh. E - 9789321500

  • "Dry Needling Module 1"
    Malad, Mumbai
    15,16, February,2020
    Dr. Naseem - 9860693668

  • "Dry Needling Module 2"
    Apollo College of Physiotherapy, Hyderabad
    21,22,23, February 2020
    Dr. Lakshmi - 8639938958

  • "Dry Needling Module 1"
    Hotel Simson, Chennai
    28,29, March,2020
    Dr. Lokesh. E - 9789321500

  • "Dry Needling Module 1"
    GIFO Fitness, Coimbatore
    25,26, April,2020
    Dr. Kannan - 9789744020

  • "Dry Needling Module 1"
    RMV Hospital, Bangalore
    27,28, June,2020
    Dr. Anagha - 9845866837

  • "Dry Needling Module 2"
    RMV Hospital, Bangalore
    18,19,20 September,2020
    Dr. Rajkannan. P - 9845903906

  • "Dry Needling Module 1"
    Hotel Simson, Chennaid
    26,27 September,2020
    Dr. Lokesh.E - 9789321500

The information in this workshop was valuable and relevant. It was more specifically useful than I expected. Dr. Raj Kannan has an amazing ability to readmore


This was a great workshop! Never realized it could be so easy to get this new treatment tool. The techniques you teach are gentle, easy and painless.readmore