Opus divinum est sedare dolorem (It is divine to relief pain.)
Claudius Galen (130 – 201 e.Kr.)

What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a therapeutic technique where thin needles are inserted into specific muscle points to relieve tension, pain, and stiffness. While similar to acupuncture, dry needling focuses on treating muscular pain rather than energy meridians.

How Does Dry Needling Work?

The method targets trigger points—tight knots within muscles that cause pain and restricted movement. By inserting needles into or around these points, practitioners stimulate a local “twitch” response, which helps release tension and restore normal muscle function.

Origins and Development

Originally, treatments for stress points involved direct pressure, friction, and rhythmic movements, as described by J. Meagher. Later, it was discovered that inserting a needle—first injection needles, then acupuncture needles—was enough to dissolve trigger points without using any substances. This remains one of the most effective techniques for restoring unrestricted muscle function.

Dry Needling for Horses

Dry needling is not limited to humans; it is also widely used in equine therapy. Horses with muscular tension or trigger points benefit from this approach, improving mobility and reducing discomfort.

Technique and Application

Needles are inserted multiple times, sometimes deep into the muscle, around the trigger point. The most important effect is the local twitch response, which signals muscle release.

Below are some examples of what it looks like when dry needling is performed on a horse.

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