Dry needling is a specialized physical therapy technique that uses thin, solid filament needles to target specific trigger points in your muscles. Unlike acupuncture (which is based on traditional Chinese medicine concepts of energy flow), dry needling is grounded in Western medicine’s understanding of neuromuscular dysfunction.
Our licensed physical therapists insert these fine needles into tight, painful “knots” in your muscles—known as myofascial trigger points—to release tension and alleviate pain.
Many patients experience significant pain reduction after just one session. The needle helps disrupt the pain cycle by releasing chronically contracted muscle fibers.
By releasing trigger points, dry needling helps restore normal muscle function and flexibility, allowing you to move more freely.
Athletes and active individuals benefit from accelerated healing of muscle injuries and reduced downtime between training sessions.
The technique effectively releases chronic tension in muscles that haven’t responded to other treatments.
Dry needling can help decrease local inflammation associated with musculoskeletal conditions.
The needling process increases circulation to the affected areas, promoting healing and tissue regeneration.
Dry needling can be effective for numerous conditions, including:
Your physical therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if dry needling is appropriate for your condition.
While you may feel a brief pinch when the needle is inserted, most patients report minimal discomfort. The resulting “twitch response”—a brief muscle contraction—is actually a sign that the treatment is working effectively.
While both use similar thin filament needles, they are based on different principles. Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and focuses on energy meridians, while dry needling is based on Western medical principles targeting specific muscle trigger points.
