Dry Needling for Athletes
Understanding the Benefits, Research, and Pro Athletes Using Dry Needling
Dry needling has emerged as a powerful treatment tool for athletes seeking faster recovery, improved muscle performance, and effective pain relief. This minimally invasive technique uses a solid, thin acupuncture needle to deactivate trigger points, which are hyperirritable spots in muscle that cause local and referred pain, to restore function and ease discomfort. From NFL & NBA stars to Olympic climbers, dry needling is now part of the elite performance and recovery playbook.
Key Points
Dry needling targets trigger points to reduce pain and restore muscle function
Scientific research supports performance, recovery, and pain reduction benefits
Professional athletes across sports use dry needling to stay at the top of their game
Effects include pain modulation, improved circulation, and enhanced neuromuscular function
Should be performed by trained professionals; more robust research is ongoing
Dry needling for athletes treatment for lower leg
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling involves the insertion of an acupuncture needle into myofascial trigger points—knots in the muscle that can cause local and referred pain. Unlike traditional acupuncture, which uses meridian theory, dry needling is guided by neuroanatomy and musculoskeletal science.
Dry needling is commonly used for:
Muscle recovery and relaxation
Pain relief from sports injuries
Enhancing range of motion
Reducing fatigue and restoring muscle activation
How Dry Needling for Athletes Works
Dry needling’s mechanisms include:
Local Twitch Response: Needle insertion often triggers a visible muscle contraction, which resets neuromuscular firing patterns
Improved Blood Flow: Needling increases microcirculation to ischemic muscle regions
Pain Signal Interruption: Central nervous system modulation via spinal cord and brain pain centers
Opioid Release: Stimulates the body’s natural painkillers
Autonomic Nervous System Effects: Supports recovery and reduces stress
Dry needling does more than just relieve muscle tightness on the surface, it works on a deep physiological level, affecting the nervous system, blood flow, and cellular environment within the muscle.
🧠 Central and Peripheral Pain Modulation
Dry needling stimulates both peripheral (local tissue) and central (spinal cord and brain) pain pathways. According to Dommerholt (2011), the needle insertion activates A-delta nerve fibers, which travel to the spinal cord and trigger pain-inhibiting responses in the brain. This process helps "reset" the pain system, dampening chronic pain signals and reducing hypersensitivity in the affected area. This is particularly useful for athletes who experience pain that persists long after the initial injury has healed.
💉 Improved Local Oxygenation and Microcirculation
A major issue in trigger points is ischemia—poor blood flow that starves muscle fibers of oxygen. Dry needling mechanically disrupts this environment. Inserting the needle into a trigger point causes a local twitch response, which is followed by increased perfusion (blood flow) and oxygen saturation. Cagnie et al. (2013) showed that needling not only improves circulation but also normalizes local tissue metabolism, helping the muscle return to its normal resting state.
🔗 Cagnie et al., 2013 – PubMed
🔁 Resetting Neuromuscular Dysfunction
Dry needling also affects the neuromuscular junction, the area where nerve meets muscle. Trigger points are often associated with excessive acetylcholine (ACh) release, leading to sustained muscle contraction. Needle stimulation helps restore normal ACh activity and reduces the hyperexcitability of muscle fibers. This improves motor control and muscle function, which is why athletes often notice enhanced performance or reduced fatigue after a session.
🔄 Autonomic Nervous System Modulation
Dry needling influences the autonomic nervous system, particularly the balance between sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-recovery) activity. Dommerholt noted that this may explain why dry needling often leads to reduced stress levels and a sense of relaxation in athletes—especially when combined with breathing, manual therapy, or post-treatment stretching.
💊 Endogenous Opioid Release
Dry needling may also stimulate the release of the body’s natural painkillers—endorphins and enkephalins—which bind to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This natural analgesic response provides further pain relief without the use of medication, making dry needling an attractive option for high-performance athletes seeking drug-free recovery tools.
Summary
Together, these mechanisms explain why dry needling is more than just a local muscle technique—it’s a neurophysiological intervention that affects how the body perceives and processes pain, enhances blood flow, restores normal muscle tone, and supports recovery at multiple levels.
Physiological mechanisms of dry needling
Specific Dry Needling Performance Studies:
Strength and Endurance
Haser et al. (2017) found that dry needling increased strength and endurance in knee extensors and improved hip flexion in elite soccer players.
🔗 PubMed Study Link
Vertical Jump Performance
Bandy et al. (2017) showed dry needling significantly enhanced vertical jump in healthy subjects.
🔗 Study on PubMed
Joint Instability Recovery
Salom-Moreno et al. (2015) demonstrated better pain and functional outcomes in chronic ankle instability when dry needling was combined with proprioceptive exercise.
🔗 Study on PMC
Pro Athletes Using Dry Needling
⭐ Emma Raducanu – Tennis
British tennis star Emma Raducanu recently revealed that she used dry needling and heat therapy to manage a lingering back injury ahead of the 2025 French Open. Despite having a longstanding fear of needles, Raducanu said the treatment helped her relieve muscle spasms she experienced at the Strasbourg Grand Prix just days before the tournament.
“At the start of the year I was so scared of needles. It was my biggest phobia,” Raducanu told BBC Sport. “But I know it helps... that’s how I’ve kind of been trying to manage it.”
She first dealt with the same back issue before the 2025 Australian Open. With her gradual return to form after wrist and ankle surgeries in 2023, Raducanu has climbed back into the world’s top 50. Her openness to dry needling highlights its growing role in managing musculoskeletal injuries in elite-level tennis players.
🔗 Reuters: Raducanu overcomes fear of needles to manage back injury
⭐ Travis Kelce – NFL
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce incorporates dry needling and cupping as part of his offseason recovery routine to stay in peak condition. Known for his durability and elite performance deep into each NFL season, Kelce uses these therapies to relax sore muscles after workouts and maintain tissue health.
In addition to his commitment to consistent training, Kelce reportedly consumes around 4,000 calories per day to fuel his regimen. His recovery strategy, which includes dry needling, has helped him maintain elite availability — missing just two games since 2014 — and remain one of the most dominant tight ends in the league.
🔗 Men’s Fitness: Travis Kelce’s Offseason Workout and Recovery
⭐ Drew Brees & New Orleans Saints – NFL
Drew Brees, longtime quarterback of the New Orleans Saints, relied heavily on dry needling throughout his career to stay healthy, recover quickly, and maintain throwing mechanics deep into each NFL season. Known for his meticulous preparation, Brees incorporated dry needling into a comprehensive recovery routine that also included cold immersion and light therapy.
“I love light therapy, and the cold tub has become very consistent for me. Dry needling as well,” Brees told Joovv when asked about his go-to recovery tools.
🔗 Joovv Interview with Drew Brees
According to Sports Illustrated, Brees sometimes underwent sessions involving 107 needles, precisely placed into trigger points throughout his body — including his neck, back, shoulders, glutes, hips, hamstrings, and calves — to relieve tightness and prevent injury.
“I’ll do it [on the] neck, shoulders, high back, mid back, low back, glutes, IT bands, hips, sometimes hamstrings, groin, calves, foot,” Brees said. “It’s great.”
🔗 Sports Illustrated: The MMQB with Peter King
The Saints’ medical staff embraced dry needling as a key strategy to help players recover between games while reducing reliance on medication. As the team explained, dry needling “can address the problem with pinpoint precision and remove the source of the pain,” often without bruising or downtime — a crucial benefit in the high-demand world of professional football.
🔗 New Orleans Saints: Behind the Black and Gold – Aug 21
By targeting muscular tension and restoring neuromuscular balance, dry needling became a cornerstone of Brees’ longevity — helping him remain one of the NFL’s most productive quarterbacks into his late 30s and early 40s.
⭐ James Harrison – NFL
James Harrison, one of the NFL’s most feared defenders, credited dry needling with helping him extend his career into his late 30s. The former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker used the technique weekly during the season, targeting his lower back and legs to alleviate chronic tension and aid recovery from injuries — including a herniated disc that once threatened to end his playing days.
“It’s a more invasive form of needling,” Harrison told ESPN. “It can be recovery-based and help to heal any injuries that are nagging... It’s painful as hell. But the results are worth [the pain].”
🔗 ESPN: James Harrison Using Dry Needling to Prolong Career
Harrison began using dry needling after back issues in 2010 and said the therapy helped him play through an entire season — delaying surgery by releasing deep muscle tightness around the disc. Despite the discomfort, he emphasized its power and recovery benefits, noting that while it makes him sore the next day, he feels significantly better by day two.
“It makes you sore the next day, but the day after you feel fine,” Harrison said. “I’m not the only person that does it… but no one does it more than me.”
He regularly hired a specialist for in-season treatment and even posted photos of his sessions — with dozens of acupuncture needles embedded in his quads and hamstrings — to his Instagram account.
🔗 CBS Sports: James Harrison's Needle Therapy Photo
Dry needling became one of Harrison’s most trusted tools to stay on the field, manage pain, and maintain elite-level play well into his 30s.
⭐ Anthony Davis – NBA
Anthony Davis, star forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, has turned to dry needling as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to manage recurring back spasms that have flared up throughout multiple NBA seasons. During a challenging road trip, the Pelicans' training staff used every available moment — including on planes and in hotel rooms — to treat Davis’ back and keep him game-ready.
Dry needling became a key tool in this effort. Trainers used thin needles to repeatedly stimulate trigger points in the muscles of Davis’ back, aiming to provoke a local twitch response that relieves tension and pain. Unlike acupuncture, which originates from traditional Eastern medicine, dry needling is based on modern neuroanatomy and targets myofascial dysfunction.
“It’s not a structural issue; he’s just dealing with spasms and soreness every day that he wakes up,” said then-head coach Monty Williams. “He’s a lot better than he was... as long as he’s structurally fine, we’re OK with playing him if he wants to play.”
Alongside dry needling, Davis received massage therapy, heat treatments, stretching, and even Epsom salt soaks, reflecting the Pelicans' multi-modal approach to sports medicine. The effectiveness of this strategy was on display when Davis started against the Portland Trailblazers despite ongoing pain — even lying flat on the court during timeouts instead of sitting on the bench.
🔗 Fox Sports: Pelicans Treating Davis' Back Spasms with Dry Needling
This case illustrates how modern treatment approaches like dry needling can be integrated into elite-level injury management, particularly for non-structural muscular pain in high-performance athletes.
⭐ Elena Delle Donne – WNBA
Elena Delle Donne, WNBA superstar and two-time league MVP, incorporated dry needling into her offseason rehab to help manage recurring back spasms and muscle tension. As part of her daily recovery routine, the treatment was used to stimulate muscle contractions and alleviate pain in key areas of tightness.
Dry needling, which involves inserting thin needles into muscle trigger points, was combined with other recovery methods such as stretching, massage, and strength work. Though she described the process as uncomfortable—
“It hurts a little. It’s not fun,” she said with a laugh —
Delle Donne experienced noticeable improvement in her back within the first two weeks of resuming consistent treatment, with much more planned as she prepared for the season ahead.
⭐ Troy Tulowitzki – MLB
Five-time MLB All-Star Troy Tulowitzki turned to dry needling during his career to manage chronic hip and leg pain. In 2014, while dealing with discomfort in his left hip, Tulowitzki underwent a targeted dry needling procedure to release muscular tension in the area and assess whether the issue was soft tissue-related.
The decision came after the Rockies shortstop experienced recurring tightness that limited his performance. Dry needling was used as part of his diagnostic and recovery process to relieve muscle-related restrictions and determine the next step in treatment.
Though Tulowitzki ultimately required surgery later that season, the procedure was part of a broader effort to reduce pain and restore movement through trigger point release and neuromuscular stimulation.
🔗 MLB.com: Tulo to Have Dry Needling Procedure
🔗 MLB.com: Tulowitzki Begins Road to Return After Procedure
Dry needling became one of several tools used to help him manage a high-performance workload and remain on the field during his prime seasons with Colorado and later in Toronto.
⭐ Mikal Bridges – NBA
Mikal Bridges, now playing for the New York Knicks, is known for his elite durability and attention to recovery. To manage the demands of a heavy minutes load and intense defensive responsibilities, Bridges has added dry needling to his training routine — part of a broader effort to stay on the court and minimize soft-tissue issues.
“I feel as I got older I always added something and just learned. The cups are something that was new. Needling last year was new,” Bridges told the New York Post. “Just adding little things I’ve never really done before.”
🔗 New York Post: Why Mikal Bridges Won’t Catch A.C. Green’s Iron Man Streak
His approach reflects a broader shift in the NBA toward precision-based recovery tools like dry needling to address muscular tightness, restore neuromuscular function, and optimize performance under high physical demand.
⭐ Filip Forsberg – NHL
Filip Forsberg, forward for the Nashville Predators, used dry needling and electrical stimulation as part of his rehab process to promote blood flow to his ankle following an injury. This treatment was integrated alongside a physical training program designed to strengthen the ankle and support his return to the ice.
🔗 The Hockey News: Filip Forsberg Injury Management
The use of dry needling in this context highlights its role in circulatory support and tissue recovery, particularly for athletes dealing with joint-related injuries in high-demand sports like hockey.
⭐ Natalia Grossman – Climbing
Natalia Grossman, world champion competition climber and 2024 Olympic hopeful, includes dry needling as part of her regular recovery and maintenance routine. In addition to climbing and strength work, Grossman uses a combination of physical therapy, massage, and bodywork to keep her muscles functioning optimally throughout the season.
“We do dry needling... ice baths, and saunas,” Grossman told Athleisure Mag, as part of her go-to tools for pain relief and movement support.
🔗 Athleisure Mag: Natalia Grossman on Recovery & Training
Dry needling is one of several modern recovery strategies Grossman uses to stay healthy while training at the elite level. Her approach reflects the increasing use of sports medicine modalities in climbing to manage muscular workload and reduce injury risk.
🔗 Elite Daily: Natalia Grossman on Training and Self-Care
Conclusion: Should Athletes Try Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a science-based, targeted therapy used by top athletes to improve muscle function, reduce pain, and accelerate recovery. While research is still growing, results are promising across sports. Whether you’re a runner, tennis player, or weekend warrior, dry needling may help you perform and recover better.
| Topic | Summary |
|---|---|
| What Is Dry Needling? | A technique that uses a solid acupuncture needle to release muscle trigger points, reduce pain, and restore function. Based on neuroanatomy and myofascial science. |
| Benefits for Athletes | Faster recovery, pain relief, improved range of motion, better circulation, and enhanced neuromuscular control. |
| Scientific Evidence | Studies show improvements in strength, endurance, vertical jump, pain modulation, and joint stability when dry needling is used. |
| How It Works | Reduces muscle tension, increases blood flow, interrupts pain signals, stimulates opioid release, and engages the autonomic nervous system. |
| Elite Athletes Using It | Emma Raducanu, Travis Kelce, Drew Brees, Anthony Davis, Elena Delle Donne, Troy Tulowitzki, James Harrison, Mikal Bridges, Filip Forsberg, and Natalia Grossman. |
| Should You Try It? | If you're active and dealing with tightness, pain, or limited mobility, dry needling may help you move and recover better—whether you're a pro or recreational athlete. |
Ready to Try Dry Needling?
Whether you’re struggling with upper trapezius pain, tension headaches, or limited mobility, dry needling may help restore muscle function and reduce pain—quickly and safely.
📍 Conveniently located in New York City
🧠 Experts in trigger point therapy, acupuncture, and dry needling
Book your appointment today with the experts at Morningside Acupuncture, the top-rated acupuncture and dry needling clinic in New York City.
Let us help you move better, feel stronger, and live pain-free.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is dry needling, and how is it different from acupuncture?
Dry needling involves inserting a thin acupuncture needle into myofascial trigger points, which are tight knots in muscle that cause pain and reduce function. Unlike traditional acupuncture, which follows meridian theory and works to calm the nervous system, dry needling works to target pain and muscle dysfunction directly.
How does dry needling for athletes help athletic performance and recovery?
Dry needling helps by:
Releasing tight or overactive muscles
Improving local circulation and oxygen delivery
Reducing pain through nervous system modulation
Enhancing muscle activation and neuromuscular coordination
These benefits allow athletes to train harder, recover faster, and return to play more efficiently.
Is there scientific evidence that dry needling works for athletes?
Yes. Research shows dry needling improves strength, range of motion, jump performance, and recovery:
A 2017 study showed improved vertical jump after dry needling
Another found strength and endurance gains in elite soccer players
Dry needling also supported ankle rehab in athletes with joint instability
(References: Haser et al., Bandy et al., Salom-Moreno et al.)
Do professional athletes actually use dry needling?
Yes - many elite athletes use dry needling as part of their recovery and performance routine:
Emma Raducanu (Tennis)
Travis Kelce (NFL)
Drew Brees (NFL)
James Harrison (NFL)
Anthony Davis & Mikal Bridges (NBA)
Elena Delle Donne (WNBA)
Troy Tulowitzki (MLB)
Filip Forsberg (NHL)
Natalia Grossman (Climbing)
Their usage highlights dry needling’s growing presence in sports medicine.
What does a dry needling session feel like? Is it painful?
Some discomfort is normal, especially if a twitch response is triggered. Most athletes describe it as a deep ache or muscle “grab,” not sharp pain. Post-treatment soreness (like a workout) is common but usually resolves within 24–48 hours.
How long does it take to see results from dry needling?
Many athletes feel relief within 1–2 sessions, especially for acute muscular pain or spasms. Chronic conditions may require a series of treatments. The effects often include improved mobility, reduced pain, and faster recovery.
Is dry needling safe for athletes?
Yes - when performed by a trained and licensed practitioner, dry needling is safe and effective. At Morningside Acupuncture, all needling is done with sterile, single-use needles by professionals with expertise in sports injury care.
Can dry needling prevent injuries?
While not a substitute for strength and conditioning, dry needling can reduce the risk of overuse injuries by:
Restoring muscle balance
Addressing compensatory movement patterns
Improving flexibility and circulation in high-demand tissues
Does dry needling help with muscle cramps or spasms?
Yes. Many athletes, including Anthony Davis, use dry needling specifically for muscle spasms. It works by relaxing the overactive motor endplates in the muscle, reducing hyperexcitability and cramping.
Can dry needling be combined with other recovery tools?
Absolutely. Most pros pair dry needling with:
Physical therapy
Strength training
Massage therapy
Strength training
Cupping
Cryotherapy or heat therapy
Stretching and mobility work
This multimodal approach maximizes results.
Should recreational athletes try dry needling too?
Definitely. You don’t need to be a pro to benefit. If you run, lift, play sports, or suffer from tight muscles or recurring pain, dry needling can help restore muscle function, reduce soreness, and improve performance.
Sources:
Haser C, Stöggl T, Kriner M, Mikoleit J, Wolfahrt B, Scherr J, Halle M, Pfab F. Effect of Dry Needling on Thigh Muscle Strength and Hip Flexion in Elite Soccer Players. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2017 Feb;49(2):378-383. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001111. PMID: 27685009.
Bandy WD, Nelson R, Beamer L. COMPARISON OF DRY NEEDLING VS. SHAM ON THE PERFORMANCE OF VERTICAL JUMP. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2017 Oct;12(5):747-751. PMID: 29181252; PMCID: PMC5685412.
Salom-Moreno J, Ayuso-Casado B, Tamaral-Costa B, Sánchez-Milá Z, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Alburquerque-Sendín F. Trigger Point Dry Needling and Proprioceptive Exercises for the Management of Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:790209. doi: 10.1155/2015/790209. Epub 2015 Apr 30. PMID: 26064172; PMCID: PMC4430654.
Cagnie B, Dewitte V, Barbe T, Timmermans F, Delrue N, Meeus M. Physiologic effects of dry needling. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2013 Aug;17(8):348. doi: 10.1007/s11916-013-0348-5. PMID: 23801002.
Dommerholt J. Dry needling - peripheral and central considerations. J Man Manip Ther. 2011 Nov;19(4):223-7. doi: 10.1179/106698111X13129729552065. PMID: 23115475; PMCID: PMC3201653.
Reuters: Raducanu overcomes fear of needles to manage back injury
Men’s Fitness: Travis Kelce’s Offseason Workout and Recovery
Fox Sports: Pelicans Treating Davis' Back Spasms with Dry Needling
New York Post: Why Mikal Bridges Won’t Catch A.C. Green’s Iron Man Streak
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