During dry-needling, any needle (acupuncture, hypodermic) is inserted into the muscle trigger point. Trigger points are irritable spots in the muscle that cause pain when touched or activated.

With dry-needling, nothing is injected and the needles are not left in place. The trigger point is stimulated by twisting and turning the needle. Once the needle is removed then stretching exercises and postural changes are made. The goal is pain free range of motion.

This is different from acupuncture. Acupuncture is the insertion of needles into points on a meridian pathway to restore balance of energy and blood flow to the body. The needles may be left in for some time. Electrical current through the needles is also possible.