What are the potential side effects of dry needling?

Choosing bruising, soreness, and fatigue as the potential side effects of dry needling aligns with the common experiences reported by patients following this treatment. Dry needling involves inserting thin filiform needles into trigger points within muscle tissue, which can lead to localized irritation. As a result, patients may experience bruising due to needle insertion, soreness from the mechanical stimulation of muscle tissue, and general fatigue due to the release of tension and trigger points.

These side effects usually resolve within a few days, indicating that they are normal responses to the treatment process. Clinicians often inform patients about such potential side effects to set appropriate expectations and promote informed consent.

While other options presented can be associated with medical procedures, they are not as commonly reported specifically in the context of dry needling. Headaches and dizziness might be related to other factors rather than the procedure itself, and nausea, vomiting, skin rash, and infections are less typical in the context of dry needling practice, especially when performed under safe and sterile conditions by trained professionals.