Dry Needling
Dry needling is a physical therapy technique where a thin, solid needle goes into a trigger point, a tight band or knot in a muscle, to ease tension and pain and help the muscle move normally again. Elevate615 offers trigger point dry needling in Franklin, Brentwood and Nashville, always one-on-one with a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Dry needling versus acupuncture
They look alike, because both use thin needles, but they are not the same. Acupuncture comes from traditional Chinese medicine. Dry needling is a skilled physical therapy intervention based on modern anatomy and neuroscience, aimed at muscle. Some clinicians call the idea intramuscular stimulation. There is no medication in the needle, which is why it is called dry.
The goal is to release muscle tension, lower pain and restore normal movement patterns. It is one part of a plan that also includes movement retraining, strength work and mobility exercises.
What happens in a dry needling session
Assessment
Your Doctor of Physical Therapy evaluates your condition and finds the trigger points that are feeding your pain.
Treatment
Thin, sterile needles go into those trigger points. You may feel a brief twitch response. That is normal and part of how the treatment works. Needles stay in for a few minutes.
Follow-up
The needles come out, and your therapist gives you movement exercises and self-care guidance to build on the session.
Where dry needling can help
It is used for muscle pain and tension in many parts of the body, then paired with exercise.
- Low back pain
- Neck and shoulder pain and tension
- Tension headaches and migraines
- Sports injuries and overuse pain
- Tendon and joint pain, including foot and ankle, hip and knee pain
- Stiffness after surgery
- Long-lasting muscle pain
Tell your therapist before needling
Dry needling is not right for everyone. Your therapist reviews your health history first, and some things change the plan:
- A bleeding disorder, or a blood thinner (ask us first)
- Pregnancy
- A strong fear of needles
Say so at any point. We can use manual therapy and exercise instead.
★★★★★
“Reina is amazing! As pain in my elbow and shoulder finally became an issue, her knowledge in her field and calm presence is making all the difference. Dry needling combined with strength and stretching exercises are getting me back to living pain free!”
Dry needling questions we hear in Franklin
Does dry needling hurt?
You may feel a brief twitch response when a needle reaches a tight spot. Our therapists treat that as a normal part of the session. Tell your therapist what you feel and they can adjust.
Who does the dry needling?
Doctors of Physical Therapy who are certified in trigger point dry needling. Reina Viera, for instance, holds Dry Needling Levels 1 and 2, and Brian Kaufmann also holds an advanced dry needling certification.
Is it used on its own?
No. We combine it with movement retraining, strength work and mobility exercises, so the change has something to hold on to.
Dry needling care in Franklin, Brentwood and Nashville
Elevate615 treats dry needling at our Franklin clinic in Cool Springs, and we also see patients at our Brentwood and Nashville clinics.
You do not need a physician referral to start physical therapy at Elevate615: Tennessee allows direct access. If longer care later needs a physician involved, we coordinate with them.
Meet the people who treat you on our team page.