Dry Needling

WHAT IS DRY NEEDLING

Dry Needling is a safe, effective therapy used by our physical therapists to help relieve muscle pain, tension, and movement limitations. It focuses on areas of tight or irritated muscle tissue, often called trigger points, to reduce discomfort and improve how your body moves.

In a session, very thin, sterile needles are gently inserted into specific muscle areas to help them relax and function better. These needles do not deliver any medication — they work by stimulating the muscle and nervous system in a precise way.

How Does Dry Needling Help?

Dry needling can help your body feel better in several ways:

Relieves Muscle Tension

Needling releases tight knots and tension in muscle tissue, which can reduce pain and stiffness.

Improves Muscle Function

By targeting areas that aren’t working well, dry needling can help muscles activate more normally, which improves strength, coordination, and movement.

Increases Blood Flow

Stimulating the muscle helps bring more oxygen and nutrients to the area, promoting healing and recovery.

Contact us today to find out more about our Dry Needling Treatment and how it can be used to speed up the rehabilitation process and decrease your pain!

Conditions It Can Help

Dry needling is commonly used for:

  • Neck, back, shoulder, or hip pain

  • Headaches and muscle tension

  • Sports-related injuries

  • Chronic muscle tightness

  • Radiating or nerve-related discomfort

  • Tendonitis or overuse pains

Is Dry Needling Safe?

Yes — when performed by a trained and licensed physical therapist, dry needling is considered safe and effective. We use sterile, single-use needles and follow strict clinical safety standards.

How It Helps With Nerve-Related Pain & Irritation

Dry needling can also provide meaningful relief when nerve irritation or nerve-related symptoms are part of the problem:

  • Reduces pressure around irritated nerves: Tight muscles can press on nearby nerves, contributing to burning, radiating pain, tingling, or numbness. Releasing the muscle tension can reduce that pressure.

  • Calms overactive nervous system signals: When nerves are sensitized, they can send stronger pain messages. Dry needling helps “reset” these responses so pain signals are reduced.

  • Improves muscle activation: Nerve irritation often leads to weakness because muscles don’t fire properly. By helping reduce irritation and improve muscle function, dry needling supports better strength and movement.

Dry needling doesn’t directly fix structural nerve compression, but it reduces irritation and improves how muscles and nerves work together, which supports your overall recovery when combined with exercise and movement training.

What Does It Feel Like?

Most people find dry needling tolerable:

  • You may feel a quick pinch as the needle enters

  • A muscle twitch or brief sensation as the muscle responds

  • Mild soreness for a day or two afterward — similar to post-exercise soreness

These sensations are typical and usually short-lived.

Part of Your Personalized Treatment

Dry needling is most effective when paired with therapeutic exercise, movement training, and physical therapy care tailored to your needs. It’s one tool among several we use to help you move better and feel better.