NFL Players Aren't Worried About Dry Needling Despite TJ Watt's Collapsed Lung

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride heard about what happened to Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt — and McBride plans to continue his weekly dry-needling sessions.

"It’s something I do frequently. I’ve never had an issue like that," he said. "But with every treatment, everything that you get done, I mean, there’s risk to everything."

The risk that goes along with dry needling — at least in certain areas — caught many off guard last week when Watt was sent to the hospital with a partially collapsed lung sustained during the procedure. The 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is out indefinitely after having surgery.

Dry needling is a treatment used by physical therapists and acupuncturists to treat pain and movement issues, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The medical professionals insert needles under the skin to target trigger points — knotted or tender areas — in muscles.

"I think there's like a bit of a systemic reaction," said Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman, who has the treatment five to 10 times per year. "Like when you do that, it can draw blood flow and things like that to affected areas. I think there is some of that classic acupuncture muscle tension effect. I've always used that in terms of soft tissue-type issues."

Dry needling is often part of a larger pain management plan, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The treatment is designed to alleviate tightness and tender areas in muscles by increasing blood flow to the area. It also can spark the release of endorphins that help with the pain.

The treatment is called dry needling because the thin needles don't have any medication.

"It just releases tight muscles," New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke said. "Obviously you have some fascial tension,