Used to treat pain and movement impairments, dry needling stimulates the body’s natural healing processes by targeting trigger points in muscle bellies to reduce muscle spasm, improve mobility, and reduce pain. The technique is also used to target fascial restrictions or other connective tissues that your therapist is unable to manipulate with their hands. 

Dry needling is performed in the clinic and is typically used as one piece of your treatment plan, in conjunction with exercise, other manual techniques, and activity modification.

Common areas for dry needling include shoulders, neck muscles, glutes, IT band, quads, and plantar fascia, though dry needling can be used in virtually any area of the body. 

While dry needling is often confused with acupuncture due to the use of similar needles, acupuncture is an eastern medicine technique based on meridians and energy flow.