What conditions can dry needling help? Dry needling may be helpful for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including:

• Neck and low back pain

• Headaches and migraines

• Shoulder pain or rotator cuff issues

• Hip or knee pain

• Muscle strains or overuse injuries

• Sports-related injuries

• Muscle tightness and trigger points

• Repetitive strain injuries

What does dry needling feel like? When the needle enters the muscle, patients may feel:

• A brief muscle twitch response

• A dull ache or pressure in the muscle

• Temporary soreness afterward

These sensations are common and often indicate that the targeted muscle is responding to treatment.

Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?

No. While both techniques use similar thin needles, dry needling is based on modern anatomy and western medicine principles. It focuses specifically on treating muscular dysfunction and trigger points.

Is dry needling safe?

Dry needling is very safe when performed by a trained and licensed healthcare professional. Dr. Propson holds advanced training as a Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist and has years of experience dry needling thousands of patients. Sterile, single-use needles are always used. Common side effects may include:

• Mild muscle soreness

• Small bruising at the needle site

• Temporary fatigue

These symptoms typically resolve within 24–48 hours.

There are situations when we do not use dry needling including: lymphedema (in treatment area), severe immune deficiency, first trimester of pregnancy, active cancer (unless cleared by your doctor), and over cosmetic implants (in treatment area). A thorough evaluation is always completed first to ensure treatment strategies are safe.

How many treatments are needed?

The number of treatments varies depending on the condition being treated, how long symptoms have been present, and how your body responds to treatment. Some patients notice improvement after the first session, while others benefit from multiple treatments combined with exercise and movement therapy.

Dry needling is most effective when combined with a comprehensive rehabilitation approach that may include: therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, mobility training, posture or movement education

Your therapist will help determine the best plan to help you reduce pain, improve movement, and return to the activities you enjoy.

Does dry needling have to be part of my treatment plan?

No, dry needling is just one of many treatment options we provide. Other treatment solutions include manual therapy, cupping, gua-sha, e-stim, prescription exercise, balance/stability training, and taping.