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career of pittsburgh steelers Star TJ Watt has been put in jeopardy after 2021 nfl The reigning Defensive Player of the Year suffered a partially damaged lung during a dry needling procedure, an incident that has shed light on a common, yet not risk-free, treatment widely used throughout the league.
Watt is now sidelined indefinitely after surgery, prompting renewed scrutiny of the practice.
Dry needling, a technique employed by physical therapists and acupuncturists, involves inserting thin needles into muscles to target ‘trigger points’ – areas of stiffness or tenderness.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, it is designed to reduce pain and improve movement by increasing blood flow to the affected area and stimulating the release of endorphins. The treatment is called ‘dry’ because, unlike injections, there is no medicine in the needles.
Despite Watt’s serious setback, several NFL players also Arizona Cardinals Tight end Trey McBride plans to continue his regular dry needling sessions.
McBride acknowledged the inherent dangers, saying, “It’s something I do often. I’ve never had an issue like that.” “But with every treatment, everything you do, I mean, everything has a risk.”
Chicago Bears Center Drew Dellman, who undergoes treatments ten times a year, described a “systemic response” that draws blood flow to the affected areas, comparing it to “the classic acupuncture muscle tension effect.”
New York Giants Linebacker Bobby Okereke elaborated on its efficacy: “It just releases the tight muscles…It helps release some of the fascia as well. It can give you like a targeted trigger-point release where massage might not be able to release the muscles or different stretching techniques can’t.”
Baltimore Ravens Defensive lineman John Jenkins, a 360-pound veteran, relies on weekly lower extremity sessions “to loosen up a lot of the muscles that are pretty stressed.”
He added, “I’m a big guy, okay? So anything that’s going to help me loosen up the muscles, I’m going to do it.” atlanta falcons Offensive lineman Kyle Hinton, who is aware of the Watt incident, maintains faith in the professionals, saying, “Sometimes anything just happens.”
However, not all players are completely comfortable with this process. Washington Commanders Guard Sam Cosmi, a longtime user since his college days, described the sensation as a “stinging” and that it only passes “when I have to.” It’s not my favorite thing.
he, along with tennessee titans Center Lloyd Cushenberry and Commanders receiver Jaylin Lane are particularly careful about where they receive treatment, often limiting it to the lower areas of the body and avoiding the torso.
Cushenberry, who found some relief for a calf problem but questioned its overall effectiveness (“probably a placebo”), said, “I’m a lower body guy. If I’m feeling dry needling, stick it in my legs.” Lane admitted that Watt’s injury had left him “nervous”.
Dry needling techniques vary, ranging from superficial insertion into the lower layer of the skin, to deep penetration of muscle tissue, and even the ‘pistoning’ method where the needle is rapidly moved through the tissue.
The Cleveland Clinic says dry needling is approved in 37 US states and Washington, DC, although training and certification standards vary significantly. Notably, Pennsylvania has no clear stance on its legality.
The incident involving TJ Watt serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in even routine medical procedures.
Nevertheless, for many NFL players seeking relief from the heavy physical burdens of professional play, dry needling is an important component of their pain management regimen, although when carefully considered, its continued use reflects a calculated balance between potential benefits and acknowledged risks.