What is the age limit for dry needling?

Author: Hildegard West  |  Last update: Thursday, October 9, 2025

Dry needle treatment is generally suitable for people of all ages and genders, but not for children under 12-15 years of age. Different diseases in the person do not constitute an obstacle to this treatment, and thanks to the minimum level of needle sensation, it can also be applied to those who are afraid of needles.

Who should avoid dry needling?

Dry needling (DN) therapy should be avoided in patients under the following circumstances: Unwilling or unable to give consent due to fear, believes, communication, cognitive, age-related factors. Medical emergency or acute medical condition. Local infection.

Is dry needling safe for the elderly?

Dry needling is an effective and safe option for elderly individuals looking to improve their mobility and quality of life.

Who is allowed to do dry needling?

Dry needling is a technique that acupuncturists, physical therapists and other trained healthcare providers use to treat musculoskeletal pain and movement issues. It's almost always used as part of a larger pain management plan that could include exercise, stretching, massage and other techniques.

Is dry needling new age?

Ma states, "Although ISDN originated in traditional Chinese methods, it has developed from the ancient empirical approach to become modern medical art rooted in evidence-based thinking and practice." Ma also states that, "Dry needling technique is a modern Western medical modality that is not related to traditional ...

What Is Dry Needling?: Benefits And How Dry Needling Works

What is the minimum age for dry needling?

Dry needle treatment is generally suitable for people of all ages and genders, but not for children under 12-15 years of age. Different diseases in the person do not constitute an obstacle to this treatment, and thanks to the minimum level of needle sensation, it can also be applied to those who are afraid of needles.

Who is a candidate for dry needling?

While dry needling therapy can be used to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, some of the most common issues we use dry needling for include: Joint issues. Tendinopathy (injury to tendon from overuse) Whiplash.

Why is dry needling banned?

As we know, dry needling targets the trigger points that are running closer to the nerves; there are chances that the needle may trigger the nerves accidentally. Such accidents may cause immediate pain and discomfort, nerve irritation or damage, inflammation and swelling, and potential complications.

Who is not suitable for skin needling?

Contraindications are limited, but include the following[1][10]: Active acne, especially inflammatory lesions. Active herpes labialis or other localized infection in the treatment area, including warts. Moderate-to-severe chronic skin diseases such as eczema or psoriasis.

How much does dry needling cost per session?

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.

Is 70 too old for microneedling?

Yes, microneedling is a great option for aged skin.

What is negative about dry needling?

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.

What is an alternative to dry needling?

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.

Why is dry needling so painful?

We believe the primary reason that some patients report dry needling hurts more than acupuncture is that dry needling is typically performed in response to a particular injury. As such, the dry needling is very localized to an injured joint or source of pain, and typically those areas are more sensitive by default.

What are the hazards of dry needling?

Since dry needling involves a needle penetrating the skin, iatrogenic injury to vessels, nerves, spinal cord, internal organs, implanted devices, or infection are possible hazards for patients.

Do doctors recommend dry needling?

Dry needling is a safe technique for treating many musculoskeletal conditions, including shoulder pain, rotator cuff pain, biceps tendinitis, iliotibial band syndrome, Achilles tendinitis, low back pain, tennis elbow, whiplash or neck pain, headaches, muscle strains, hip pain and temporomandibular pain, also called TMJ ...

Is there an age limit for skin needling?

In general, because this treatment can be used on virtually any skin type and skin tone, there are no age restrictions on who can use microneedling to achieve brighter, healthier-looking skin.

What can go wrong with skin needling?

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.

Who is a bad candidate for microneedling?

Certain conditions can make a person a poor candidate. These include pregnancy, recent Accutane use, active acne outbreaks, or specific skin disorders. A history of poor wound healing and skin treatments like radiation and microneedling with PRP injection in the past year also raises red flags for patients.

Who is not a candidate for dry needling?

Dry needling may not be appropriate for everyone, particularly individuals with certain medical conditions or risk factors. For example, individuals with bleeding disorders, compromised immune systems, or a fear of needles may not be suitable candidates for dry needling.

Is dry needling better than massage?

Speeding up recovery: by resetting trigger points at the neurological level, dry needling gets to the heart of the problem. Dry needling is faster and more effective than massage or manual therapy in which the muscles are pressed, often injuring healthy tissue around the trigger point in the process.

Can dry needling damage nerves?

Some dry needling treatments involve repetitive and rapid needle insertions into myofascial trigger points. This type of treatment causes muscle injury and can also damage nerve fibers.

Who is qualified for dry needling?

No prerequisites are needed for this three-day 27-hour dry needling course; however, registrants must be a licensed PT, PTA, ATC, DC, MD, DO, DDS, NP, PA, OT, or acupuncturist in their respective state or country. DPT, DC, or MD students in their final year are also eligible to take DN-1 and DN-2.

What should you not do after dry needling?

What Not to Do After Dry Needling
  1. Skip the Gym (Seriously) ...
  2. Don't Forget to Hydrate. ...
  3. Avoid Overthinking Post-Needling Soreness. ...
  4. Say No to Alcohol. ...
  5. Don't Sit for Too Long. ...
  6. Skip Over-the-Counter Painkillers. ...
  7. Most Importantly: Don't Ignore Your Therapist's Advice.

Why is dry needling illegal?

Dry needling is illegal in some states due to concerns about safety, training, and scope of practice. Regulatory bodies in these states argue that without standardized training, there is a higher risk of complications, such as nerve damage or infections.

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