You’ve booked dry needling for a stiff neck or a sore shoulder, and somewhere between booking and arriving the thought creeps in: what exactly am I agreeing to? Needles going into muscle is a reasonable thing to feel unsure about, and you’re entitled to a clear explanation before anything starts.
This article covers what the Australian Institute of Sport’s dry needling guidelines say a practitioner should explain, the risks worth asking about, what to tell your practitioner, and how consent works at Impact Dry Needling and Technology in Murdoch. It’s written so you walk in knowing which questions to ask.
Summary of the Content:
- The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) says dry needling should not occur unless the risks of the procedure have been explained to and accepted by the patient.
- The AIS also notes that evidence in the effectiveness of dry needling is limited in the current literature, so the benefit to risk ratio needs to be considered.
- Common after-effects listed on our site include soreness, bruising, fatigue, minor bleeding and feeling lightheaded, and they usually settle within a few days.
- Rare risks include fainting, infection and nerve irritation. Needling near the chest carries a rare risk of a punctured lung (pneumothorax), which is why warning signs matter.
- At our clinic, the first session usually includes an assessment and the treatment, taking about 45 to 60 minutes, and you’ll be asked to provide informed consent before needling starts.
What Should a Practitioner Explain Before Dry Needling?
They should explain what they plan to do, why, what it may feel like and what the risks are, and then give you a real choice. The AIS dry needling guidelines say consent must be voluntary, informed and given by someone with legal capacity. At our clinic, the practitioner reviews your medical history, explains the procedure and asks for your consent before any needle is used.
Why Consent Matters for Dry Needling
Dry needling uses thin, sterile needles placed into tight areas of muscle, often called trigger points. Our FAQ describes it like this: you might feel a slight prick or discomfort, followed by muscle twitching or a dull ache.
It’s a hands-on treatment that breaks the skin, so consent isn’t a formality. The AIS guidelines put it plainly:
“Dry needling should not occur unless the risks of the procedure have been explained to and accepted by the patient.”
Australian Institute of Sport, Dry Needling guidelines, section “Safe treatment procedures”
The same guidelines are honest about evidence too. They say that evidence in the effectiveness of dry needling is limited in the current literature, and that the benefit to risk ratio of dry needling treatment therefore needs to be considered. That’s a useful frame for your appointment: the question isn’t only “is it safe?” but “is it worth it for my problem, compared with other options?”
What Valid Consent Looks Like
The AIS guidelines describe three parts of valid consent:
- Voluntary. You agree freely, without pressure, and you can say no or stop.
- Informed. The practitioner has warned you about the risks of the treatment they’re about to do.
- Given by someone with capacity. Adults consent for themselves; children require parental or legal guardian consent.
The guidelines add that consent can be provided in either a verbal or written form, and that verbal consent should be noted in the treatment record.
The Risks Worth Understanding
Most after-effects are mild and short-lived, and a few are rare but serious. Our safety pages and FAQ list both.
| Effect | What our site says to expect |
|---|---|
| Soreness | Muscle soreness at the needling site is common. It usually subsides within 24 to 48 hours. |
| Bruising | Minor bruising can occur from needle insertion and usually fades within a week. |
| Fatigue | Some people feel tired after treatment. This usually subsides within a day. |
| Minor bleeding | Minor bleeding at the needle site is usually minimal and ceases quickly. |
| Lightheadedness | Some patients might feel lightheaded during or after treatment. Lying down and resting for a few minutes can help. |
| Rare: fainting, infection, nerve irritation | Fainting can happen through a vasovagal response. Infection is very rare and is guarded against with strict hygiene. Rarely, needling could affect nerves, causing discomfort or sensory changes. |
Needling Near the Chest
The AIS guidelines name one rare risk specifically: induced pneumothorax, where air leaks into the space between a lung and the chest wall. They describe it as rare but still a concern in the research literature, and they advise practitioners to limit needling in high-risk areas, including around lung fields, eyes and neurovascular structures, when the possible benefit is outweighed by the possible side effects.
For treatment over or around the trunk, the AIS guidelines say patients should be given an information sheet that covers warning signs and what to do if significant symptoms occur. If your treatment involves your upper back, shoulders or chest wall, ask about this.
healthdirect lists the most common symptoms of a pneumothorax as sudden, sharp stabbing pain on one side of the chest, made worse by breathing in, shortness of breath and a cough. healthdirect’s advice is direct: if you have trouble breathing or have chest pain, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
What to Tell Your Practitioner Before Needling
Our process page says your practitioner will ask about previous injuries, surgeries, chronic conditions, and any medications or supplements you take, because this information is important for identifying any potential contraindications. These are the things that can change whether needling is suitable, or where it’s done:
| Tell them if you have | Why it matters, according to our site |
|---|---|
| A clotting disorder such as haemophilia | Dry needling should not be used by people with clotting disorders because it increases the risk of bleeding. |
| Pregnancy | Pregnant women should avoid dry needling in the neck and abdomen. |
| An infection, rash or wound in the area | Avoid dry needling on areas with infections, rashes, or wounds, as it can introduce bacteria into deeper tissue. |
| A metal allergy | People allergic to metals may react to the needles, so allergies are checked beforehand. |
| Significant nerve damage in the area | Needling there can irritate damaged nerves further. |
| Any medicines or supplements | Your practitioner uses this to check for contraindications and may give specific advice about them. |
It also helps to say if you’ve fainted with needles or blood tests before, or if you’re anxious about needles. That’s useful information, not something to be embarrassed about.
What Happens at a First Appointment
Our pages describe a first visit in these steps:
- Medical history. The practitioner will review your medical history and discuss your symptoms.
- Explanation. They explain how the needles are inserted into specific points to target muscle pain.
- Consent. Before starting, you will be asked to provide informed consent.
- Positioning. You’ll be positioned comfortably so the target muscles can be reached.
- Needling. Fine, sterile needles are inserted. They may be left in place for a few minutes and may be manipulated gently.
- Aftercare. You’ll get advice for the next day or two.
Our FAQ says the first session usually includes an assessment and the treatment, taking about 45 to 60 minutes. Subsequent sessions are generally shorter, lasting around 30 to 45 minutes.
Hygiene You Can Expect
Our safety page says practitioners use individually packaged, single-use, sterile needles for each patient, wash their hands, wear gloves during the procedure, and clean and disinfect the treatment area between sessions. The AIS guidelines set similar expectations, including disinfecting the skin and disposing of used needles straight away in an approved sharps container.
Who Can Do Dry Needling
The AIS guidelines say dry needling is within the scope of physiotherapy practice, and that anyone performing it should have completed an appropriate formal course of training. For massage therapists who learnt dry needling at a post-graduate workshop, the AIS lists a minimum of 60 hours face-to-face training and 15 hours supervised clinical practice. The guidelines also say practitioners must have indemnity insurance that covers dry needling.
It’s fair to ask any practitioner what training they’ve done and whether they’re registered. Health practitioners such as physiotherapists can be looked up on the public register run by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
Questions to Ask Before You Agree
Take this checklist with you:
- What are you planning to needle, and why for my problem?
- What might I feel during and after the session?
- What are the risks for the area you’re treating, especially near my chest or neck?
- What warning signs should I watch for afterwards, and who do I call?
- What are the other options if I’d rather not have needling?
- How many sessions are you suggesting, and when will we review whether it’s helping?
- Can I stop at any point during the session?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my mind once the session has started?
Yes. Consent has to be voluntary, so you can ask the practitioner to stop at any point. Tell them straight away if something feels wrong.
Will I have to sign a form?
Consent can be verbal or written. Either way, your practitioner should explain the treatment and its risks first, and you’ll be asked to provide informed consent before needling starts.
How quickly do people notice a change?
It varies from person to person, and depends on things like how long you’ve had the problem and how often you’re treated. Because the evidence for dry needling is limited, a plan should include a point where you and your practitioner review whether it’s helping.
External Resources
- Australian Institute of Sport: Dry needling guidelines
- healthdirect: Pneumothorax (last reviewed March 2025)
- Impact Dry Needling: FAQ
- Impact Dry Needling: Safety and side effects
- Impact Dry Needling: The dry needling process
Sources checked 1 November 2026. This article is general published information, not personal medical advice. Photos in this article are AI-generated illustrations, not photos of Impact Dry Needling and Technology, its staff or patients.
Final Thoughts
Asking questions before dry needling doesn’t make you a difficult patient. It’s what the AIS guidelines expect. A good appointment should leave you understanding what’s planned, what the risks are for the area being treated, what to watch for afterwards, and that you’re free to say no.
Dry needling at the clinic is provided by Nick Wigger. We’re at Tower C Level 4, Suite 404, 44 Barry Marshall Parade, Murdoch, open Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Call (08) 6148 8266 and you can say: “I’d like a first dry needling appointment, and I’d like the risks explained before we start.” Bring a list of your medicines and supplements and a note of any conditions or allergies. You can also contact the clinic online.
