Advice

Updated September 13, 2026.

Dry needling is not appropriate for everyone, and some health conditions require extra assessment before treatment. A list on a website cannot determine whether it is suitable for you. Tell your clinician about your health history, medications and concerns before deciding whether to proceed.

When should you speak with your physician first?

Cleveland Clinic’s patient guidance recommends discussing dry needling with a physician first if you are pregnant, have a compromised immune system, recently had surgery, or take blood thinners. Significant fear of needles and difficulty understanding the procedure also need attention. These situations call for an individual decision rather than a blanket online clearance.

Do blood thinners always rule out treatment?

Not necessarily. A 2022 review of dry needling and antithrombotic medicines concluded that these medicines are not automatically an absolute contraindication. However, the authors noted a lack of direct dry-needling research and drew on evidence from other needle procedures. This is not a guarantee of safety for an individual patient.

Give your treating clinician a current medication list and describe any unusual bleeding or bruising. Do not stop or skip prescribed medication to make a dry-needling appointment possible; medication changes belong with the prescribing clinician.

What should you report before the appointment?

• Recent surgery and any current treatment restrictions.
• Pregnancy or a condition affecting your immune system.
• Blood-thinning medicines, bleeding disorders, or unusual bruising.
• Fever, a suspected infection, or a wound near the proposed treatment area.
• A previous reaction to needling, fainting, or strong anxiety about needles.

Ask whether your circumstances mean treatment should be delayed, adapted, or replaced with another approach. You do not need to choose dry needling to participate in a discussion about your rehabilitation options.

Understand the choice before agreeing

Ask what the procedure is intended to help, what risks apply to the proposed area, and what alternatives are available. You can decline treatment or ask to stop. For more information, see our article about dry-needling risks and warning signs.

To discuss an evaluation at Wichita Physical Therapy Group, contact the clinic or call (316) 358-9942. The evaluation can help establish an appropriate plan without assuming that dry needling is the right treatment.