IF YOU JUST WANT THE TAKEAWAYS, JUMP STRAIGHT TO THE 43:35 MARK!

Dr. Zach Guiser and John trace the evolution of dry needling from ancient Eastern acupuncture to modern Western "trigger point" therapy, examining whether the practice is truly safe and effective for athletes.

• 00:00 – Introduction and the history of Acupuncture, "Chi," and Meridians
• 02:31 – Wet Needling vs. Dry Needling: JFK’s physician and trigger points
• 04:13 – The TJ Watt Black Swan Event: A punctured lung in the NFL
• 05:06 – Defining Trigger Points and Proposed Mechanisms of Action
• 11:30 – Study #1: Efficacy for chronic low back pain (Short-term vs. Long-term)
• 14:11 – How "Sham" Dry Needling works in research
• 17:40 – Study #2: Dry needling for musculoskeletal conditions (Meta-analysis)
• 27:24 – Study #3: Dry Needling vs. Manual Therapy (Head-to-Head)
• 30:14 – Study #4: Dry Needling in Sports and Performance (The 2025 Evidence Gap Map)
• 33:27 – Study #5: Safety Data and Adverse Events (Minor vs. Major)
• 41:12 – The Philosophy of Risk: Fat-Tailed Risks and Black Swans
• 43:35 – Summary, Zach’s Final Stance, and Attia Categories
• 46:00 – The Legality of Dry Needling: Ohio vs. Pennsylvania vs. the UK

Everything in these newsletters, podcasts, social media, and on our website is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice for you or your athlete. Consult directly with a healthcare professional.