This is medical acupuncture — sometimes called Western acupuncture or dry needling. It uses the same fine needles as traditional acupuncture, but the reasoning is anatomical rather than based on meridians: needles go into specific muscles and trigger points to reduce pain and release tight tissue.
What it feels like
The needles are very fine — far finer than an injection needle — and most people barely feel them go in. What you may feel is a deep, dull ache or a brief twitch in the muscle when a trigger point is reached. That twitch is generally a good sign.
Needles usually stay in for ten to twenty minutes.
Is it for everyone?
No, and there is no need for it to be. It is one option among several, used when it suits the problem and when you are comfortable with it. Plenty of clients never have it. If you would rather not, say so — the hands-on techniques work perfectly well on their own.
Tell me beforehand if you take blood-thinning medication, have a bleeding disorder, are pregnant, or have a pacemaker.