At Cutting Edge Physical Therapy, dry needling is a safe and effective therapeutic option performed by a licensed physical therapist to help reduce pain and muscle tension while improving mobility and overall function.
Dry needling is not acupuncture. While the two therapies are similar in some ways, dry needling is based on western medical and research approaches and does not follow the same principles and beliefs as acupuncture.
Your practitioner uses sterile acupuncture needles to stimulate tissue in an affected area. The treatment uses a “dry” needle, meaning no substance is injected into the body.
Dry needling provides a setting that encourages the body’s ability to heal while reducing pain and improving how your body moves. It is thought to alter the way the brain and muscles communicate with one another, helping the system return to a more normal movement pattern.
Cutting Edge Physical Therapy combines dry needling with traditional exercise-based treatment strategies. Our physical therapists perform a thorough examination to determine whether it is an appropriate part of your personalized plan of care.
Dry needling may effectively reduce or eliminate pain associated with musculoskeletal conditions, including back and neck pain, headaches, TMJ pain, arthritic knee pain, and other joint pain.
This treatment can address muscle spasms, trigger points, fibromyalgia, and tension related to overuse injuries, helping your muscles move more comfortably.
By reducing pain and tension and supporting more normal movement patterns, dry needling can help you move with greater ease and return to the activities that matter to you.
Dry needling is only one of several treatment options available at Cutting Edge Physical Therapy. When appropriate, it may be included in care for:
Our physical therapists will evaluate your symptoms, movement, and goals to identify the most appropriate treatment strategies for you.
Despite its name, the vast majority of our patients report little to no discomfort during and after in-office procedures. Our highly trained physical therapists work to make the process as comfortable as possible.
A small percentage of patients may feel a brief cramping sensation when a shortened, hypersensitive muscle responds to the needle. This response is comparable to a short-lasting muscle cramp and should resolve soon after treatment.
In rare cases, soreness may last 24–48 hours after treatment. If it persists, you can use ice or heat at home and drink plenty of fluids.
Your therapist will guide your care and combine dry needling with other appropriate strategies, including exercise-based treatment, to support your recovery and functional goals.
Do you have persistent neck pain, headaches, or an overuse injury that keeps you from doing what you love? Contact Cutting Edge Physical Therapy to learn whether dry needling is right for you and start on the road to recovery.