Dry Needling: What It Is and How It Can Help
Dry needling is becoming one of the most effective tools for relieving muscle pain, tension, and movement limitations. At Happy Brain Physical Therapy, we use dry needling as part of an evidence-based approach to help you recover faster and move with less pain.
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a skilled technique performed by licensed physical therapists. It involves inserting a thin, sterile filament needle into trigger points—tight bands of muscle or connective tissue—to relieve tension, improve circulation, and reduce pain.
Unlike acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine, dry needling is grounded in modern neurophysiology and musculoskeletal science. The technique helps reset dysfunctional muscle patterns and improve communication between the nervous system and the muscles.
Research published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy found that dry needling can significantly decrease pain and improve function in patients with musculoskeletal disorders (JOSPT, 2017).
How Dry Needling Works
When a needle is inserted into a trigger point, it can cause a brief, involuntary twitch of the muscle. This releases tension, promotes local blood flow, and helps the tissue return to a normal resting state.
Dry needling also stimulates the central nervous system, reducing pain signals and encouraging tissue repair. Studies suggest it can alter pain perception at both local and spinal levels, improving range of motion and movement efficiency (PubMed, 2019).
Benefits of Dry Needling
1. Pain Relief
Dry needling targets the root cause of muscular pain by releasing trigger points and reducing sensitivity in the nervous system.
2. Faster Recovery
By improving circulation and reducing muscle tightness, dry needling helps speed up tissue healing—ideal for athletes and active individuals in Park City who don’t want to slow down.
3. Better Mobility and Function
When used alongside physical therapy exercises, dry needling can restore smooth, pain-free movement patterns.
4. Reduced Headaches and Neck Tension
Dry needling can be especially helpful for tension headaches, jaw tightness, or upper-neck discomfort—common issues for people recovering from concussions or working long hours at a desk.
Dry Needling for Concussion and Post-Trauma Recovery
At Happy Brain Physical Therapy, we often integrate dry needling into concussion rehabilitation. It helps release cervical and shoulder tension that can contribute to headaches, dizziness, or vision strain after a brain injury.
This combination of manual therapy, vestibular retraining, and dry needling helps restore balance and reduce secondary pain patterns associated with concussion recovery
.
What to Expect During a Dry Needling Session
Your session will begin with a thorough evaluation to identify which muscles or trigger points are contributing to your pain or mobility limitations.
You may feel a brief muscle twitch or mild soreness for a day or two afterward—similar to post-workout fatigue—but most patients notice improved movement and relief within the first few sessions.
All procedures use single-use sterile needles, and treatment is always performed by a licensed physical therapist trained in advanced dry needling techniques.
Is Dry Needling Right for You?
Dry needling can help with:
Neck or back pain
Shoulder or hip tightness
Headaches or jaw pain
Sports injuries or overuse conditions
Muscle fatigue or chronic tension
Post-concussion neck pain
Looking for dry needling in Park City, Utah?
Book online to schedule your first visit.
Schedule your session at Happy Brain Physical Therapy to experience personalized, effective dry needling care—designed to keep you doing what you love in Park City’s mountains.
