Dry Needling: Our “Secret Weapon” To Recovery
If soreness, muscle tightness, or lingering pain is slowing down your training or daily life, you’re not alone. Recovery isn’t just about the “sitting on the couch” kind of rest - it’s about giving your body the right input to heal and perform better. Dry needling has become the “secret weapon” in our recovery protocols and rehabilitation for athletes, active individuals, and anyone dealing with stubborn muscle or tendon issues. Below, we answer the most common questions about dry needling and how can play a key role in your recovery process.
How does dry needling help with recovery?
Dry needling works by:
Releasing muscle tension and knots
Improving blood flow to injured or overworked tissue
Reducing pain and sensitivity
Restoring normal activation and movement
What conditions can Dry Needling help with?
Dry needling is most commonly used for:
Muscle tightness and strains
Neck, back, and shoulder pain
Sports injuries
Tendon irritation
Headaches caused by muscle tension
It is often combined with therapeutic exercise, mobility work, and manual therapy for the optimal results.
Does Dry Needling hurt?
Most people feel little to no pain when the needle is inserted (and if you do feel pain, it’s a similar feeling to plucking a hair with a tweezers). You may experience a short muscle twitch or soreness afterward, but it is similar soreness that you would experience after a hard work-out. This soreness typically fully resolves anywhere from a few hours to at least 24 hours post session.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends! Some people feel improvement after one session, but most others will benefit from a short serious of sessions as part of a recovery plan. We have dry needling packages for his reason!
Is Dry Needling safe?
Yes - when performed by a properly trained professional. Single-use sterile needles are used, and the practice is backed by ever growing research in pain management and rehabilitation. All of our staff is professionally trained in dry needling and use it daily as apart of our physical therapy treatment plans.
I have an active injury that I am working through. Is this an option for me?
In most cases, yes - dry needling can be safely used alongside an active rehabilitation program to help manage pain, reduce muscle guarding, and improve movement around an injury. It’s definitely not meant to replace rehab exercises, but to support the healing process and allow you to move more comfortably as you recovery. A Physical Therapist should assess your injury and determine if and when dry needling is appropriate for your specific situation. We include dry needling in almost all of our physical therapy treatment plans!
The Bottom Line
Dry needling can be a powerful too to speed up recovery, reduce pain, and help you move better - especially when paired with an active rehab or training program. If muscle tightness or lingering pain is holding you back, dry needling may be worth considering as part of your recovery strategy.
Click here to schedule your Dry Needling session today!
Have questions on the above? Contact us - we’d love to chat! Email Hana at hana@inspiredathletx.com or call/text our office at 952-322-7383.