Can fine needles soothe stubborn heel pain?

NCT ID NCT07642583

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looks at whether adding a technique called dry needling to a standard exercise program helps people with chronic Achilles tendon pain. 74 adults with pain lasting 6 weeks or more will either get real dry needling or a sham version, plus exercise. Researchers will track pain, function, and tendon health over 6 months to see if the needling makes a difference.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

dry needling

What this could lead to

If it works, this could provide a simple, low-cost addition to exercise therapy for chronic Achilles tendon pain.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage trial (74 people) testing a procedure against a sham. The dry needling may not provide extra benefit over exercise alone, and results may not apply to everyone.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • CPT Jennifer Moreno Primary Care Clinic - Physical Therapy

    Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 78324, United States