What Does Dry Needling Do?

If you’ve ever dealt with muscle pain that won’t go away, dry needling might be the solution you haven’t considered. This technique uses thin needles to target trigger points—tight knots in your muscles that cause discomfort and limit movement.

Unlike acupuncture, which follows traditional Chinese medicine principles, dry needling is based on modern science. It helps by:

  • Releasing muscle tension
  • Reducing pain and inflammation
  • Improving blood flow and mobility

Many people feel relief after just one session. If you’re struggling with stubborn pain, dry needling could be the key to getting back to feeling your best.

dry needling

A Dry Needling Treatment Helps With Muscle Tightness

How Dry Needling Therapy Targets Muscle Pain

When muscles tighten up, they create trigger points—knots that cause pain and limit movement.

A dry needling treatment helps by inserting thin needles directly into these areas to release tension. This technique increases blood flow, reduces discomfort, and promotes healing in affected tissues.

dry needling

How a Dry Needling Session Works

A physical therapist or licensed acupuncturist inserts thin needles into trigger points within the muscle. This often causes a local twitch response, a quick contraction that signals the release of tension.

Patients find that this helps relieve pain and improve their range of motion almost immediately.

Don’t let pain control your life. Whether you’re dealing with neck pain, knee pain, or general musculoskeletal conditions, we’re here to help. Call us at (970) 500-3427 or visit our site to schedule your appointment today!

The Science Behind Dry Needling Work

Unlike acupuncture, which is rooted in Eastern medicine, dry needling follows the principles of Western medicine.

It focuses on musculoskeletal pain by targeting connective tissue and subcutaneous tissue where referred pain and chronic pain develop. The needling work stimulates the body’s natural healing process.

What to Expect from a Dry Needling Treatment

  • Most patients feel a mild, deep ache during the session, followed by muscle soreness that fades within a day.
  • The technique is part of a larger treatment plan that may include other physical therapy treatments and exercise.
  • A dry needling session is a low-risk option for treating knee pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain.

Why Trigger Point Dry Needling Is an Effective Technique

Trigger point dry needling helps with both acute and chronic pain conditions. It’s commonly used in sports physical therapy to speed up recovery from injury.

The treatment promotes healing and provides significant improvement when combined with other interventions like stretching and strengthening exercises.

Comparing Dry Needling to Other Physical Therapy Treatments

Both acupuncture and dry needling involve inserting needles into the body, but the similarities end there.

Dry needling therapy focuses on relieving musculoskeletal conditions, improving range of motion, and reducing muscle soreness. Unlike acupuncture, it does not follow traditional Chinese medicine theories.

dry needling

Is Dry Needling Right for You?

If you’re dealing with musculoskeletal pain, headaches, or muscle tightness, this technique could be a valuable part of your treatment plan.

Most patients experience relief from symptoms after just a few sessions. A physical therapist can determine if this is the right approach for your specific condition.

Up and Running Physical Therapy is Here for You

Helping You Move Without Pain

At Up and Running Physical Therapy, we understand how frustrating it is to live with pain that limits your movement. That’s why we offer Functional Dry Needling (FDN) as part of our physical therapy treatments.

This technique helps relieve muscle tightness, improve range of motion, and promote healing.

Why Choose Functional Dry Needling?

Our approach focuses on getting to the root of your pain, not just masking symptoms. Dry needling works by:

  • Targeting trigger points to release muscle tension
  • Increasing blood flow to promote natural healing
  • Reducing musculoskeletal pain and improving mobility

Most patients experience significant improvement in just a few sessions. If you’re struggling with muscle soreness, sports injuries, or chronic pain, this therapy can help.

A Treatment Plan Designed for You

Every patient is different, which is why we create personalized treatment plans. Functional Dry Needling often works best when combined with:

  • Strength and mobility exercises
  • Other physical therapy treatments tailored to your needs
  • Hands-on therapy to support healing

By addressing your specific condition, we help you get back to doing what you love—without pain holding you back.

Get Started Today

Don’t let pain control your life. Whether you’re dealing with neck pain, knee pain, or general musculoskeletal conditions, we’re here to help. Call us at (970) 500-3427 or visit our site to schedule your appointment today!

a man standing in front of a sign that says up and running physical therapy.
AUTHOR

Dr. AJ Cohen

Up And Running Physical Therapy

"We Help Runners And Active Adults In The Fort Collins Area Overcome Injury And Be Stronger Than Ever, Avoid Unnecessary Time Off, All Without Medications, Injections, Or Surgery."
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