For runners and athletes, injuries like shin splints and plantar fasciitis can be debilitating. These common conditions cause pain, limit mobility, and significantly hinder performance. While traditional treatments such as rest, stretching, and physical therapy are foundational, dry needling has emerged as a key intervention to accelerate healing by directly addressing the muscular and myofascial components of these injuries.
This article explores how dry needling can help treat shin splints and plantar fasciitis, backed by current scientific evidence.
Medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), shin splints involve pain along the inner edge of the shinbone (tibia). It is an overuse injury resulting from repetitive stress placed on the tibia and the surrounding muscles, particularly the soleus and tibialis posterior. A landmark 2018 systematic review identified several key risk factors, including increased body mass index (BMI), a greater range of ankle plantar flexion, and female sex.¹
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It results from repetitive strain and micro-tears in the plantar fascia—the thick band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot. While once thought to be a purely inflammatory condition, it is now understood as a degenerative process (fasciosis). Key risk factors include limited ankle dorsiflexion (often due to calf tightness) and a high BMI.²
Dry needling is a technique used by trained healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists, to treat musculoskeletal pain. The procedure involves inserting a thin, sterile monofilament needle into myofascial trigger points—hyperirritable knots in muscle tissue. The technique is based on modern Western neurophysiological principles and is distinct from traditional acupuncture.³
The primary goals are to elicit a “local twitch response,” which helps to release the trigger point, and to stimulate a healing response in the dysfunctional tissue.
Shin splints and plantar fasciitis are closely linked to tightness and trigger points in the muscles of the lower leg, including the gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis posterior. Dry needling directly targets these knots, causing them to release. This can immediately improve muscle flexibility and reduce the tensile forces acting on the shinbone and plantar fascia.⁴
Research shows that active myofascial trigger points exist in a state of metabolic crisis with low oxygen and an acidic, inflammatory chemical environment.⁵ Dry needling helps to disrupt this cycle, flush out pain-sensitizing chemicals, and modulate pain signals at the spinal cord level, leading to both local and systemic pain relief.³
By creating a micro-lesion in the tissue, dry needling initiates a localized healing response. This increases blood flow to the area, delivering oxygen and essential nutrients needed for tissue repair. This enhanced circulation helps accelerate the healing of the overstressed muscles and fascia.⁶
Muscle imbalances and dysfunction are primary drivers of running injuries. By releasing tight muscles and restoring normal function, dry needling can help correct faulty movement patterns. As part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program that includes strengthening and movement retraining, it can help address the root cause of the injury and reduce the risk of recurrence.²
Several high-quality studies support the efficacy of dry needling for these specific conditions:
Dry needling is a safe and effective treatment when performed by a properly trained and licensed professional. It is often integrated into a broader physical therapy plan of care. While the procedure can cause temporary muscle soreness, most patients find it very tolerable and experience significant relief.
For athletes suffering from shin splints or plantar fasciitis, dry needling offers a powerful, evidence-based treatment option that directly targets the myofascial component of these injuries. By reducing pain, releasing muscle tension, and stimulating tissue healing, it can help you return to your sport faster and with a lower risk of recurrence when combined with a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.return to their sport faster and with reduced risk of recurrence.
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