干针疗法是一种由理疗师、脊椎按摩师和整骨医师常用的治疗肌肉疼痛的方法[1]。这种疗法通过在肌肉敏感部位（肌筋膜触发点）插入细针来放松肌肉、减少炎症和疼痛[1]。根据2023年的澳大利亚调查，在203名理疗师中，有64%使用干针疗法[1]。
然而，研究表明该疗法的有效性存在限制。大多数研究显示干针疗法仅能提供短期疼痛缓解，但不优于运动等其他常见治疗方法[1]。更为关键的是，几乎所有干针疗法研究都存在严重的方法学问题，使得难以确定其益处是否超越安慰剂效应[1]。一半的干针疗法研究未报告是否发生不良事件[1]。
除了疗效问题外，干针疗法还存在严重的安全风险。虽然严重不良事件如肺塌陷、感染或断针非常罕见，但具体风险比例不明确，针灸数据提示风险约为十万分之一[1]。2024年6月，西澳大利亚州一名理疗师因干针疗法导致患者双侧气胸，其注册执照被暂停3个月[1]。同年11月，NFL匹兹堡钢人队球员TJ Watt因类似伤害导致肺部分塌陷，需要紧急手术[1]。由于这些风险和有限的疗效证据，目前临床指南很少推荐此疗法[1]。
Dry needling has become an increasingly common treatment among physiotherapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths seeking to address muscle pain. The technique involves inserting fine needles into sensitive muscle areas known as myofascial trigger points to relax muscles, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain.[1] A 2023 survey of 203 Australian physiotherapists found that 64% employ this method in their practice.[1]
However, the scientific evidence for dry needling's effectiveness remains limited and contested. Most research indicates that the treatment provides only short-term pain relief and does not outperform more conventional treatments such as exercise therapy.[1] A significant methodological problem undermines confidence in these findings: nearly all dry needling studies contain serious flaws that make it difficult to determine whether observed benefits exceed placebo effects.[1] Additionally, approximately half of all dry needling research fails to report whether adverse events occurred during treatment.[1]
While serious complications remain rare, recent high-profile cases have raised safety concerns. In June 2024, a Western Australian physiotherapist's registration was suspended for three months following a patient's lung perforation that resulted in bilateral pneumotharax.[1] Similarly, in November 2024, Pittsburgh Steelers NFL player TJ Watt required emergency surgery after the treatment caused partial lung collapse.[1] Such severe adverse events—including lung collapse, infection, or needle breakage—are uncommon, though the exact risk remains unclear; data from acupuncture suggests a rate of approximately one per hundred thousand procedures.[1] Given the limited evidence of superiority over alternative treatments and the potential for serious complications, current clinical guidelines rarely recommend dry needling.[1]
