Clinical trials
Dry Needling clinical trials
Below are recruiting dry needling clinical trials, each written for real people, not researchers. We’re tracking 44 recruiting studies, each written for real people, not researchers, below.
Recruiting studies
- NCT07756918Recruiting
Shockwave therapy versus dry needling for jumper's knee
This study compares two non-surgical treatments for jumper's knee (pain at the front of the knee from overuse): extracorporeal shockwave therapy (using sound waves to stimulate healing) and dry needling (using thin needles to release tension). The goal is to see which one works better for reducing pain. If you're eligible, you might get one of these treatments, and your progress will be followed to see how well it works.
Lahore, Punjab ProvinceAges 18–35 - NCT06708377Recruiting
Dry needling and massage for jaw joint pain
This trial tests whether dry needling combined with myofascial massage therapy can help relieve pain and improve jaw movement in people with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. It compares this treatment to standard care to see which works better.
Islamabad, FederalAges 25–45 - NCT06751160Recruiting
Dry needling vs. soft tissue massage for tight hamstrings
This study compares two treatments—dry needling and soft tissue massage—to see which works better for relieving tight hamstring muscles in people with low back pain.
Lahore, Punjab ProvinceAges 20–40 - NCT06780904Recruiting
Dry needling plus stretching for neck pain relief
This study tests if combining dry needling with gentle stretching or muscle energy techniques works better for treating neck pain caused by muscle knots (trigger points). It aims to find a simple, effective way to reduce pain and improve movement.
Kandy, Central ProvinceAges 18–60 - NCT07309874Recruiting
Dry needling for headache relief
This study tests if a specific type of dry needling (using a thin needle on tight neck muscles) can help reduce headaches. You may join if you've had headaches recently and have tender muscles at the base of your skull.
Lubbock, TexasAges 18–65 - NCT07270276Recruiting
Dry needling for shoulder muscle pain
This study tests if dry needling (a therapy that uses thin needles to release muscle knots) can help with shoulder muscle pain. It uses special tests to measure how the treatment affects your muscles and pain.
Boston, MassachusettsAges 18–80 - NCT07490366Recruiting
Exercise vs needle treatment for shoulder muscle pain
This study compares three treatments for long-term shoulder muscle pain: exercises, dry needling (tiny needles into tight muscle spots), and a numbing shot between muscle layers. It aims to find which works best for myofascial pain syndrome.
Istanbul, IstanbulAges 18–55 - NCT06296082RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Dry Needling vs Botox for Post-Stroke Leg Stiffness
This study compares two treatments for leg stiffness after a stroke: dry needling (tiny needles placed in trigger points) and Botox injections. It may help you if you've had a first stroke within the past year and have mild to moderate tightness in the calf muscles that limits ankle movement.
Antwerp, FlandersAges 18–75 - NCT05422040Recruiting
Dry needling or tecartherapy for long-term low back pain
This study compares two physical therapies—dry needling versus tecartherapy—to see which helps people with long-lasting, non-specific low back pain. You may be eligible if your pain has lasted more than 6 weeks and is not caused by nerve or serious underlying conditions.
Alcalá de Henares, MadridAges 18–65 - NCT07321483Recruiting
Reflex therapy for jaw pain
This trial tests if a special reflex therapy can help people with jaw muscle pain that isn't caused by joint damage. It might be a new way to reduce discomfort and improve function.
OlomoucAges 18 years+ - NCT03968614Recruiting
Needling plus exercises for Achilles tendon pain
This trial studies whether electrical “deep needling” (a clinician inserts very thin needles and uses electricity) added to stretching and exercises can reduce Achilles tendon pain. It’s mainly for people with Achilles tendinopathy that started at least 3 months ago.
Columbia, South CarolinaAges 18 years+ - NCT04609735Recruiting
Compare manual therapy, exercise, and ultrasound for golfer’s elbow
This study compares two treatment plans for golfer’s elbow—manual therapy plus exercise, and whether adding ultrasound helps more. It aims to reduce elbow and inner-forearm pain and improve how well you can use your arm.
Fort Wayne, IndianaAges 18–60 - NCT07322445Recruiting
Study of neck and shoulder pain with special MRI
This study uses special MRI scans to look at muscles and nerves in people with long-term neck or shoulder pain caused by trigger points (tender spots in muscles). The goal is to understand what happens in the body with this type of pain—so doctors can find better ways to treat it.
St Louis, MissouriAges 18–80 - NCT04609709Recruiting
Physical therapy plus electrical dry needling for tension headaches
This trial tests whether specific physical therapy treatments—exercise, manual soft-tissue work, mobilization, and electrical dry needling/TENS—can reduce tension-type headaches. It may help if your headaches happen often and fit the trial’s “frequent” or “chronic” pattern.
Fort Wayne, IndianaAges 18–65 - NCT06316583Recruiting
Dry needling for painful periods study
This trial tests whether dry needling (a type of acupuncture) can help relieve primary dysmenorrhea (painful periods without another cause). It compares the effects on specific acupoints to see which works best.
Beijing, Beijing MunicipalityAges 18–30 - NCT06533345Recruiting
Pain-free research for chronic pain
This trial studies a collaborative approach to help people with chronic pain, which is pain that lasts beyond a recent injury. It may be a good fit if you're not currently seeking medication for your pain.
Auburn, AlabamaAges 21–80 - NCT07098754Recruiting
Physical therapy for neck pain and posture improvement
This study compares different physical therapy techniques to improve neck posture and reduce pain in people with myofascial pain syndrome. It may help if you have mild to moderate neck pain from muscle knots and are open to physiotherapy.
Bahawalpur, Punjab ProvinceAges 20–40 - NCT07373808Recruiting
Nerve stimulation and exercise for sciatica leg pain
This study tests whether combining a mild electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve with specific exercises can reduce leg pain from sciatica. It is for people whose nerve-related leg pain has lasted over 6 months and is at least a 3 out of 10 in intensity.
Madrid, MadridAges 18–70 - NCT07377357Recruiting
Electrical stimulation for chronic back-related leg pain
This trial tests if a single session of electrical stimulation to the sciatic nerve can quickly reduce leg pain related to low back problems. It may help if you have had chronic sciatica (leg pain from your back) for more than 6 months and your pain has recently been interfering with daily life.
Madrid, MadridAges 18–70 - NCT07511751Recruiting
Comparing treatments for myofascial pain syndrome
This trial compares three different treatments to find which works best for long-term back pain caused by myofascial pain syndrome, a condition where tight muscle knots cause pain. It is for people who have not found relief with standard treatments.
Adapazarı, SakaryaAges 18–65
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Common questions
- Are there clinical trials for dry needling?
- Yes. Clin2 currently lists 44 recruiting dry needling studies from the U.S. registry, each rewritten for real people, not researchers, so you can see what it’s testing and who it’s for.
- How do I know if I qualify for a dry needling trial?
- Each study lists its eligibility criteria — rules about age, diagnosis, and prior treatments. On every Clin2 trial page we explain these in words written for real people and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Does it cost anything to join a dry needling trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what’s covered before you decide.
Related conditions
Clin2 helps you find and understand clinical trials and does not provide medical advice. Study data comes from ClinicalTrials.gov. Talk with your doctor about whether a specific trial is right for you.