The needles used in dry needling are sterile, but if proper hygiene protocols are not followed, bacteria can enter the body and cause an infection.
Treatment included surgical drainage and intravenous antibiotics. Conclusion: Deep infection is a rare but serious complication of dry needling.
Skin damage is a risk that commonly occurs with microneedling devices. The damage may include bleeding, bruising, redness, tightness, itching and peeling, and these typically go away without any treatment after a few days or weeks.
Symptoms after a needling mishap include nerve irritation, nerve damage, numbness, or weakness in the surrounding areas. These symptoms may persist after the dry needling session.
Dry needling is not for those with unmanaged blood-clotting or immune-system disorders. Plus, the American Physical Therapy Association does not recommend dry needling for children younger than 12. Always check with your medical provider or physical therapist if you have concerns.
It May Cause Muscle Soreness
Muscle soreness is a common side effect of dry needling. Dry needling can even make your body feel worse than before the treatment. It's important to know that your body might need to learn to respond better to treatment before you start to feel the benefits.
The Physical Therapy Board of California interprets dry needling as falling outside the scope of practice for physical therapists because it involves procedures that are considered invasive and akin to acupuncture, which requires specific licensure.
It is common to feel tired, nauseous, emotional, giggly or “loopy”, and/or somewhat “out of it” after treatment. This is a normal response that can last up to an hour or two after treatment. If this lasts beyond a day contact your provider as a precaution.
This could lead to an infection or scarring. At-home microneedling can accidentally spread warts, herpes, and other viruses across the skin. Pressing too hard can damage your skin. This damage can cause scarring or changes to your skin's color or texture.
When a needle grazes or “hits” a nerve during dry needling, you might feel a quick, sharp sensation. It's often described as a zapping or shooting feeling that travels along the nerve pathway. This happens because nerves are essentially your body's electrical wiring—they're designed to send signals to your brain.
Dry needling has the potential to temporarily increase pain in some patients, primarily due to the body's natural healing response, technique sensitivity, and individual pain thresholds. However, with proper technique, patient education, and post-treatment care, these adverse effects can be managed and minimized.
But the procedure has risks too. Skin redness is common after microneedling, which may last for several days. You should also take extra care to protect your skin from the sun in the days following the procedure. Microneedling can have other risks, such as scarring or infection.
There are several alternative treatments that may be more effective than dry needling, depending on your condition and preferences. Some of these alternatives include acupuncture, physical therapy, massage therapy, and chiropractic care.
Please be aware that performing microneedling more than once a week increases your risk of infection, as the punctured skin — which normally keeps out bacteria — opens the doors for new germs.
Vasovagal reaction: This occurs rarely and is the most common form of fainting, usually recurrent to a specific trigger (which can be dry needling). In most cases, this resolves with a few minutes of rest and some sugar intake.
Don't Forget to Hydrate. Skipping water after dry needling is a rookie mistake. The therapy helps release toxins stored in tight muscles, and staying hydrated ensures these toxins are flushed out of your system. Neglecting to drink enough water can leave you feeling sluggish, achy, or even nauseous.
Why Do I Look Older After Microneedling? You might look older after microneedling because your skin is temporarily inflamed and shedding older layers.
The average cost of microneedling in the US is about $640 per session, according to over 300 patient experiences on RealSelf. This can vary between $300 to $700, however, depending on: Your location: Prices may be higher in major cities or upscale clinics.
In contrast during microneedling there is minimal to no bleeding since only capillaries are punctured. Never-the-less, the mild trauma to the skin results in a mild inflammatory response, likely due to bradykinins and histamine release from mast cells.
Bacterial infections after needling are rare but if they do occur, it is usually because of microorganisms on the surface of the skin. Symptoms would include pain, redness, swelling, and heat in the area of the infection. Most infections can be easily treated with a visit to a doctor.
They classified the events as “mild” or “significant.” Examples of mild adverse events included bleeding, bruising, and pain at the needle insertion site; whereas significant adverse events included pneumothorax, or any other severe reaction to dry needling.
After a dry needling session, it is recommended to increase your water intake. Consuming an adequate amount of water helps flush out metabolic waste products released during the treatment, promoting efficient healing and reducing post-needling soreness.
While rare, there is a potential risk of bruising or minor bleeding at the sites where needles are inserted during dry needling. This risk may be higher for individuals who are prone to bruising or have underlying blood clotting disorders.
The average cost of dry needling is about $60 per session, and most physical therapists will recommend 3 to 6 sessions. However, this will usually be part of a treatment plan and used in conjunction with other services, so it may not be itemized in this way.