“How many needles are you going to use?” is a common question we are asked. Before we answer, we want to acknowledge that dry needling can feel intimidating. The idea of being needled in a painful area by a stranger can be daunting. It requires a high level of trust for someone to feel comfortable enough to proceed.

That’s why building trust is our top priority before starting any session. We take time to talk with patients, understand their concerns, and ensure they are comfortable. Even if someone comes to us specifically for dry needling, we devote significant time to communication before placing the first needle.

During the session, we continuously assess the patient’s symptoms to make sure they are tolerating the treatment well. We’ve found that patients sometimes try to tough it out even when uncomfortable, which is why we won’t proceed if we sense any unease, no matter how slight.

So, how many needles? Research shows that using more needles is generally more effective, and deeper placements often provide better results than superficial ones. As long as the patient can tolerate it, more is usually better. Many of our patients seek dry needling because they have experienced significant benefits and tolerate the process well.

If you’re curious about how dry needling can help with your orthopedic conditions, we’d love to talk. We offer free consultations to answer your questions and help you decide if this treatment is right for you.