12/19/2025
Dry needling is a treatment we use to help improve blood flow and oxygen to the tissue. The needle creates a very small, controlled irritation in the muscle, which starts a chain reaction in the body to help with healing. It should feel like a quick pinch that settles into a deep, dull ache.
People often ask how this is different from acupuncture. I’m not an acupuncturist. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine and focuses on energy flow, or chi, through specific pathways called meridians. The goal there is to affect the body through energy balance.
Dry needling is different. I place the needles based on nerves, muscles, and anatomy-basically how your body is wired. The technique may look similar, but the training, reasoning, and goals are different.
Dry needling is part of my advanced doctoral-level training and is used to support and build on the rest of your physical therapy treatment.
