Trigger Point Dry Needling is a common physical therapy technique using filiform needles to get rid of trigger points. Trigger points are basically tight bundles or "knots" of muscle fibers which can occur due to injury, overuse, or weakness. They can cause pain and impair funcitonal motion, and limit flexibility. During dry needling, your doctor will go directly into the trigger point in order to get it to relax.

While trigger point dry needling and acupuncture use the same type of filiform needles, dry needling is not acupuncture. Acupuncture is a technique typically using multiple needles inserted along meridian lines in order to alter one's Qi or energy flow. Dry needling is a more direct approach where the needle is inserted directly into the muscle or trigger point for pain relief or to restore functional movement.