What Is Dry Needling? The Rare Risk Behind T.J. Watt’s Collapsed Lung 🫁⚠️

December 13, 2025
Image Source :: Barry Reeger/Imagn Images

Here’s the thing — what is dry needling? At its core, dry needling is a muscle-focused therapy used to ease pain and improve movement. Practitioners insert very thin needles into specific spots in muscle tissue called trigger points. The goal isn’t to inject medicine (hence the name “dry”), but to stimulate and relax tight or painful muscles. It’s commonly used by physical therapists, chiropractors, and other body-work specialists, especially in treating sports injuries and chronic muscle pain. Cleveland Clinic

Normally, dry needling is considered low risk. People might feel mild soreness, temporary stiffness, or light bruising where the needles were inserted. But here’s the twist: in rare cases — especially when needles are placed near the chest wall — the treatment can cause more serious complications. One of those rare but real risks is a punctured lung, which can lead to a collapsed lung (pneumothorax). Cleveland Clinic+1

That context is exactly why dry needling is suddenly in the news: Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt suffered a partially collapsed lung during a dry needling treatment at the team’s practice facility. People.com

T.J. Watt’s Injury: What Actually Happened

When you look at the timeline, it’s clear the injury was unexpected.

  • Watt received dry needling therapy during a session at the Steelers’ facility. Yahoo Sports

  • He started feeling discomfort afterward, particularly in his chest. Reuters

  • That discomfort turned into a bigger concern, leading to hospitalization. Reuters

  • Medical evaluation showed he had a partially collapsed lung (pneumothorax). Reuters

  • He underwent surgery to stabilize and repair the injury. People.com

  • Watt has since been released from the hospital and is resting at home. People.com

His brother, J.J. Watt, confirmed the situation on social media, and his wife shared a gratitude-filled update about the care he received. People.com

Right now, Watt’s availability for immediate upcoming games is uncertain, and his recovery timeline hasn’t been firmly set. Reuters

Breaking Down the Risks: Can Dry Needling Really Collapse a Lung?

Bottom line: yes — but it’s extremely rare.

Medical sources say that when dry needling is done by a trained professional and in areas not close to lungs, serious complications are uncommon. Most people will just feel a little sore afterward. Cleveland Clinic

But here’s the nuance — when needles are used near the thoracic region (upper back, shoulder blade area), they are very close to the lungs. If a needle goes too deep or is misdirected, it can puncture lung tissue and allow air to escape from the lung cavity into the chest cavity. That air buildup is what causes the lung to collapse partially or fully. International Business Times UK

A pneumothorax doesn’t always happen instantly. Some people notice symptoms right away, others only hours later. If someone feels sharp pain in the chest, has trouble breathing, or develops sudden shortness of breath after needling near the upper back, it’s a red flag that needs immediate medical attention. Cleveland Clinic

Separating Dry Needling From Acupuncture

You’ll sometimes see people confuse dry needling with acupuncture. They both use thin needles, but the intent and training behind them differ:

  • Acupuncture is rooted in Eastern medicine traditions and is performed by licensed acupuncturists who undergo extensive training.

  • Dry needling comes out of Western musculoskeletal treatment and is done by physical therapists or similar practitioners with specialized (but not always standardized) training. Cleveland Clinic

Both treatments carry risks if improperly done, but the training requirements and philosophies behind them are distinct. That matters in cases like Watt’s because risk mitigation depends heavily on how well the clinician understands anatomy and needle placement. Cleveland Clinic

What Happens During A Dry Needling Session

Let’s walk through what typically happens in a session:

  1. Evaluation: The therapist examines your posture, muscle tightness, and pain patterns.

  2. Target Selection: They pick specific trigger points — often muscles that don’t relax normally.

  3. Needle Insertion: Thin, filiform needles are inserted into the skin and muscle. Patients may feel a twitch or slight discomfort.

  4. Muscle Response: The idea is to release tension and improve blood flow, which can ease chronic pain and improve movement. Cleveland Clinic

Sessions are usually short and done as part of a broader treatment plan. People often describe soreness afterward, similar to deep massage. But because the needles go into muscle tissue, there’s a thin line between effective and overly aggressive placement — especially near the chest. Cleveland Clinic

Why Awareness Matters Now

The T.J. Watt incident has shined a spotlight on what is dry needling treatment because it’s now a high-profile example of a rare but serious complication. Many people undergo dry needling for everyday muscle issues without problems, but this case is a reminder that:

  • Any invasive treatment has risks, even if they’re uncommon.

  • Proper training and careful technique matter more in certain body zones.

  • Patients should always be informed about the rare but real possibilities, especially when treatment targets areas near vital organs like the lungs. Healthline

This doesn’t mean dry needling is unsafe in general — statistically, it’s still considered low risk — but it does mean that informed consent and qualified providers should be non-negotiable. Cleveland Clinic

What Dry Needling Collapsed Lung Cases Teach Us

Cases of pneumothorax from needle therapies are rare, but they’re not unheard of. Medical literature and patient reports show that when lungs are punctured by misdirected needles, the result can be:

  • sudden chest pain

  • difficulty breathing

  • urgent need for medical care

  • sometimes chest tubes or surgical intervention

Those reports line up with what happened in Watt’s situation — immediate discomfort, medical imaging, and then surgery to fix the problem. International Business Times UK

The key takeaway is not fear — but respect for the fact that this isn’t a completely risk-free practice. Credential checks, questions about clinician experience, and knowing when to get medical help are vital parts of any treatment plan involving needles near the chest. Cleveland Clinic

Conclusion: Not Anti-Dry Needling — Just Informed

So what is a dry needling session, really? It’s a muscle treatment aimed at pain relief. Most of the time, it’s harmless and helpful. But like any medical intervention where something penetrates your skin, it carries a spectrum of risk — usually mild, occasionally serious.

T.J. Watt’s injury doesn’t mean dry needling is broadly unsafe. It means that even good intentions and qualified clinicians need to be paired with caution, especially near sensitive areas like the lungs.

If you’re thinking about dry needling therapy — whether for sports recovery or persistent muscle pain — talk to your provider about safety, their training, and what to do if symptoms like chest pain or trouble breathing occur. That’s how you get the benefit while minimizing the downside.

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