Target muscle pain, restore movement, and get back to feeling better
Dry needling is a skilled physical therapy treatment used to help reduce pain, muscle tightness, spasms, and movement limitations caused by irritated muscles and trigger points.
At CORA Physical Therapy, dry needling may be used as part of a personalized treatment plan to help you move better, feel better, and return to the activities that matter most to you. Our Certified Dry Needling Specialists use thin, sterile needles to target areas of muscle tension and stimulate a natural healing response in the body.
Same-day appointments may be available at select CORA locations.
What is dry needling?
Dry needling is a treatment technique performed by specially trained physical therapy clinicians. During treatment, a very thin needle is inserted into the skin and underlying muscle tissue to target myofascial trigger points, commonly described as tight bands or “knots” in the muscle.
The goal is to help release muscle tension, improve blood flow, reduce pain, and restore normal muscle function. In many cases, dry needling is used alongside other physical therapy treatments, including manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, stretching, strengthening, and movement retraining.
Some patients may feel a brief twitch response, ache, cramp, or tingling sensation during treatment. Many patients report that they barely feel the needle being inserted.
How dry needling may help
Dry needling is designed to support your body’s healing process and help improve how your muscles and joints move. When used as part of a comprehensive physical therapy plan, dry needling may help with:
- Decreased pain
- Reduced muscle tension and spasms
- Improved range of motion
- Better movement quality
- Improved tolerance for exercise and activity
- Restoration of function
- Faster return to active rehabilitation
Your CORA clinician will determine whether dry needling is appropriate for your condition, goals, and overall plan of care.
Conditions dry needling may help treat
Dry needling may be recommended for a variety of acute or chronic pain and movement-related conditions, including:
- Neck pain
- Low back pain
- Shoulder pain and impingement
- Hip pain
- Knee pain
- Headaches
- Jaw pain and TMD
- Plantar fasciitis
- Arthritis-related pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Sports injuries
- Overuse injuries, including tendonitis
- Muscle tightness or spasms
- Scar tissue management
- Pain related to movement limitations
Because every patient is different, your therapist will complete an evaluation and build a treatment plan based on your symptoms, activity level, and recovery goals.
What to expect during treatment
Before dry needling begins, your CORA clinician will explain the treatment, answer your questions, and review whether you are a good candidate.
During treatment, a thin filiform needle is inserted into the targeted muscle or trigger point. The needle may be in place for only a few seconds or longer, depending on the treatment area and your plan of care.
Dry needling is not an injection. No medication is delivered through the needle.
After treatment, your therapist may guide you through light movement, stretching, strengthening, or other exercises to help reinforce improved mobility and function.
Is dry needling painful?
Most patients tolerate dry needling well. Some people feel little to no discomfort when the needle is inserted. Others may feel a brief twitch, ache, cramp, or tingling sensation when the trigger point is stimulated.
Mild soreness after treatment can happen, similar to how muscles may feel after exercise. Your therapist will give you guidance on what to do after your session and how to manage any temporary soreness.
Dry needling vs. acupuncture: what’s the difference?
Dry needling and acupuncture both use thin needles, but they are different treatments with different clinical approaches.
Acupuncture is rooted in Eastern Medicine and is often used to address internal ailments and overall energy flow. Dry needling is based on Western Medicine, anatomy, and evidence-informed physical therapy practice. It is used to target muscles, trigger points, pain, and movement impairments with the goal of restoring function.
At CORA, dry needling is performed by trained physical therapy clinicians as part of a broader rehabilitation plan.
Who may not be a candidate for dry needling?
Dry needling is not appropriate for everyone. Patients who may not be candidates include:
- People with a strong aversion to needles
- Pregnant women
- Children
- Patients who are unable to give full consent
- Patients with certain medical conditions or precautions identified by their clinician
Your CORA therapist will review your health history and determine whether dry needling is safe and appropriate for you.
Possible side effects
Side effects are usually minor, but they can occur. These may include:
- Temporary soreness
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Pain during or after treatment
- Temporary aggravation of symptoms followed by improvement
- Drowsiness or feeling faint
- Dizziness
Your clinician will discuss any risks, precautions, and aftercare instructions before treatment.
What to do after dry needling
After treatment, your therapist may recommend that you:
- Drink extra water for the next 24 hours
- Use ice if soreness occurs
- Perform gentle stretching as instructed
- Continue normal daily activities
- Avoid strenuous activity involving the treated muscles immediately after treatment
- Avoid trying new sports or unfamiliar activities right after treatment
Follow your therapist’s specific instructions, especially if dry needling is part of a larger physical therapy plan.
Why choose CORA for dry needling?
CORA’s dry needling clinicians are specialty trained and certified, with extensive evidence-based clinical training focused on safety, precautions, clinical application, research, theory, and hands-on practice.
When you choose CORA, you get more than a single treatment. You get a physical therapy team focused on understanding the source of your pain, improving how you move, and helping you return to work, sport, exercise, and everyday life with confidence.
Does insurance cover dry needling?
Coverage for dry needling can vary by insurance plan, state, and treatment plan. Your CORA team can review available options, explain any out-of-pocket costs, and help you understand how dry needling may fit into your physical therapy care.
Ready to find out if dry needling is right for you?
If pain, tightness, or limited movement is keeping you from doing what you need to do, dry needling may be able to help.
Request an appointment with CORA Physical Therapy today and ask to speak with a Certified Dry Needling Specialist.
Same-day appointments may be available.
