Dry needling can cause a feeling of discomfort, but it should not be painful. The practitioner will use sterile single-use needles to penetrate the skin and target a trigger point.

• During the procedure, some people may feel a quick prick or ache that lasts for a few seconds and then subsides. In general, trigger point dry needling should not cause long-lasting pain or bruising. However, everyone is different and some people may experience more discomfort than others.
• This sensation should be brief and can be lessened with the application of essential oils or topical anesthetics. For most patients, any discomfort experienced during trigger point dry needling is mild and short-lived.