Introduction to Dry Needling

Course overview

This course offers an evidence-informed exploration of the physiological mechanisms underlying dry needling and their translation into clinical practice. Participants will examine dry needling as a therapeutic intervention designed to facilitate movement, optimize tissue loading, and restore physiological homeostasis, rather than merely a technique for needle insertion. Through an in-depth review of current basic science and clinical research, learners will develop an understanding of the local, segmental, and systemic responses elicited by dry needling and how these mechanisms influence patient outcomes. The course examines the biomechanical, neurological, vascular, and biochemical effects of dry needling, including tissue deformation, mechanotransduction, neuromodulation, pain inhibition, and autonomic nervous system regulation. Participants will review the physiological basis for commonly used needling techniques, differentiate between superficial and deep needling approaches, and understand how peripheral neuromodulation, trigger point dry needling, and other treatment strategies produce distinct therapeutic responses. Emphasis is placed on integrating current evidence on spinal cord modulation, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, and central pain processing into clinical decision-making.