12/13/2025
🔗 EssentiallySports: T.J. Watt’s Wife Shares Emotional Update…
https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-news-steelers-t-j-watt-s-wife-dani-shares-emotional-update-on-steelers-lb-following-worrying-health-scare/
Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen recently shared why he personally prefers acupuncture, citing training length, comfort level, and trust in practitioner experience.
This conversation gained additional attention because T.J. Watt has previously shared that he was injured during a dry needling treatment performed by a physical therapist — a reminder that any invasive technique carries risk, regardless of profession or intent.
For clarity, here’s a neutral distinction many patients ask about:
Acupuncture • Requires multi-year graduate medical education
• National board exams and state licensure
• Treats pain, recovery, and performance through a whole-system approach, often involving the nervous system, fascia, circulation, and regulation
Dry Needling • A technique added onto another healthcare license (commonly PT or athletic training)
• Training length and scope vary by state
• Typically focuses on localized neuromuscular or trigger-point work
Both approaches use very fine, solid needles.
Both help many people.
And both require appropriate training, clear communication, and informed consent.
Athletes — like all patients — deserve to understand: ✔ who is performing the procedure
✔ what training they’ve completed
✔ what risks exist
✔ and what approach feels safest for their body
Public conversations like this are an opportunity to educate, not polarize, and to support patients in making informed choices about their care.
If you have questions about acupuncture or whether it may be a good fit for your recovery or performance goals, I’m always happy to talk.
Steelers LB T.J. Watt's wife Dani shares a heartwarming update after a wrong pain management session landed him into hospital.