DRY NEEDLING
Information Sheet and FAQ

Dry Needling is a treatment that utilizes tiny, solid filament needles to penetrate the skin and restore proper function to abnormally behaving muscles. Nodules, or knots, and tight bands that develop in the muscle create localized pain or send pain signals to other locations. The affected muscles become locked and cannot function normally, restricting movement and causing chronic pain. Dry Needling evokes a healing response in musculoskeletal conditions and improves movement restrictions.

Dry Needling is “Not” Acupuncture or Oriental Medicine. It does not alter the flow of “Qi” along the traditional meridian lines. Dry Needling is a modern, science based intervention for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, pain and dysfunction.

Patients who suffer from the following symptoms may benefit from Dry Needling:

Although many insurances do NOT require a referral for physical therapy or Dry Needling, certain insurances may. Call our office at 423-777- 4974 to determine if your insurance company requires a referral for physical therapy.

Small, fine sterile needles (without medication) are inserted under the skin, into the tissue that may be associated with your complaints. This allows the muscle to relax and encourages the breaking up of adhesions and scar tissue. These needles cause a mechanical, biochemical and neurological change to the area.

Most people do not feel the insertion of the needles. If they do feel them, the needle is immediately removed. Many patients find the procedure relaxing.

Most patients do not experience any side effects. Although, in some cases the treated area can be sore for 24-48hrs. The soreness is very tolerable and easily minimized with cold/heat and stretching. Drowsiness, tiredness or dizziness occur post treatment in 1-3% of patients. Minor, often painless, bleeding/bruising occurs in 15-20% of treatments.

Some patients experience an immediate increase in motion and decrease in pain/inflammation. Others experience these results the next day. Typically, it takes a few sessions for a lasting positive effect. Dry Needling causes a mechanical, biomechanical and neurological change without any pharmacological drugs. We are looking for a cumulative response to deactivate the muscle spasms, disrupt pain and restore optimal function.

Dry Needling is not covered by most insurance companies. Therefore, we offer Dry Needling as a cash-pay service.

For Existing Patients Following a Plan of Care: $40.00/Session

Disclaimer: Best results are seen when Dry Needling is performed with Physical Therapy. Not as a standalone treatment.

“I performed 4 sessions on my low back and noticed more motion when bending forward and decreased tightness in my low back. I wasn’t able to bend past my knees and now I can bend over and tie my shoes. Sensation is hard to describe, but I’ll never forget the feeling when my muscle just released! Dry Needling plus the therapy treatment plan has done wonders for my back. It helped so much now I am using it for my tennis elbow!” – John F.