Dry Needling
Dry Needling
Breeze Academy
16 March 2026
If you’re new to the world of dry needling and trigger points, you might be wondering what the difference is between dry needling and trigger point injections when they treat the same conditions, have similar results, and even have similar risk factors. In this article, we detail their differences, helping you to determine which treatment is right for your clients.
So, what’s the difference between dry needling and trigger point injections? Both treatments are used to relieve pain associated with trigger points, or muscle knots, however dry needling uses sterile, dry needles to stimulate the tissue, whilst trigger point injections inject local anaesthetic and steroids into the affected area to relieve pain and restore function.
Read on to learn more about dry needling and trigger point injections.
Whilst they may appear similar on the surface, and have the same desired outcome, dry needling and trigger point injections are not the same thing. Below we explain what each treatment is, and their key differences, to help both you and your clients determine the best course of action for their individual needs.
Whilst they may appear similar on the surface, and have the same desired outcome, dry needling and trigger point injections are not the same thing. Below we explain what each treatment is, and their key differences, to help both you and your clients determine the best course of action for their individual needs.
Dry needling is an effective technique for the treatment of certain musculoskeletal conditions, such as trigger points, or pain in the shoulder, neck, back, and hip. Practitioners insert thin, dry, needles into the affected muscle, which then stimulates the tissue, causing the muscle to relax , restoring muscle length and giving an opportunity for further rehabilitation to prevent re-occurence of the problem.
Trigger point injections, usually using a local anaesthetic, are occasionally used for the same, or similar, reasons as dry needling, and are applied to trigger points (areas of soreness under the skin that are painful when pressed – also known as knots). In the UK this practice is carried by doctors, and perhaps by physiotherapists that have extra qualifications to allow them to carry out injections and to prescribe.
Dry needling and trigger point injections are often used to treat similar conditions in the back, neck, arms, and legs in particular, such as:
With dry needling, clients will typically notice an improvement in their symptoms within a few days, however this will vary from person to person.
The effects of trigger point injections will usually begin to show between 24-72 hours after treatment, and typically last for about 1 month. However, longer-lasting pain relief can be achieved in some cases with recurring injections (injections containing just anaesthetic can be administered more frequently than those containing steroids).
The side effects of dry needling and trigger point injections are similar, but are uncommon, and mild when they do occur. The most common side effects include soreness, numbness, redness, bruising, and bleeding at the point of injection, fatigue, and dizziness or fainting.
On the surface, dry needling and trigger point injections can seem similar, as they treat similar conditions, with similar results, and even have similar risk factors. However, there are a few key differences between the two treatments that should help clients and practitioners alike determine a suitable course of action.
The research and available information lead to the implication that trigger point injections are a treatment for more severe conditions that have not responded to other treatment options, such as dry needling, physiotherapy, massage, or osteopathy.
If you’re interested in dry needling and would like to offer it as an additional service in your practice to help with musculoskeletal conditions such as trigger points, Breeze Academy offers a number of dry needling courses that can kick start your journey. Take a look at our foundation level dry needling courses, available in all major cities across the UK today.
If that’s not for you, we also offer several other courses that will enable you to expand your service offerings, such as clinical yoga teacher training, sports massage training, and strength and condition training.
Take a look online today, or get in touch for more information.