If you struggle with muscle tightness, nagging pain, or stubborn trigger points that never seem to relax, you may have heard your physical therapist mention dry needling.
Dry needling is a proven, research-supported technique used in many sports and orthopedic physical therapy clinics to help decrease pain, improve mobility, and speed up recovery — especially when traditional stretching and massage alone aren’t enough.
At JSR, we use dry needling as part of a comprehensive, one-on-one treatment approach to help active adults and athletes move better and feel better — safely.
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling involves inserting a very thin, sterile filament needle into tight or irritated muscles (often called trigger points).
These trigger points can:
Cause aching, burning, or sharp pain
Limit mobility
Create “tightness” that always comes back
Refer pain into other body regions (for example: neck pain creating headaches)
Unlike acupuncture — which is based on Eastern medicine energy pathways — dry needling is rooted in modern musculoskeletal science and focuses on:
How Does Dry Needling Help Reduce Pain?
When the needle reaches the trigger point, the muscle often produces a small, quick twitch. That twitch response helps “deactivate” the trigger point.
Afterward, many people experience:
✔ less tightness
✔ improved movement
✔ reduced pain
✔ easier muscle activation during exercise
Dry needling can help with conditions such as:
The key: dry needling isn’t done alone. It works BEST when combined with manual therapy and specific strengthening — so the pain relief actually lasts.
Is Dry Needling Safe?
When performed by a licensed and trained physical therapist, dry needling is considered very safe.
Most people feel:
Potentially mild soreness for 12–24 hours
a sense of muscle “release”
Easier movement shortly afterward
Dry Needling and Physical Therapy: Why They Work Well Together
Dry needling can quickly calm painful muscles — but the long-term change comes from retraining the way your body moves.
That’s why, at JSR, dry needling is paired with:
Corrective strength training
Mobility and stability work
Education on movement and load management
Sport-specific rehab
The goal isn’t to “chase pain.”
The goal is to address the root cause so you can get back to the activities you love.
Who Can Benefit?
Dry needling may be helpful if you are:
An athlete dealing with recurring tightness
An active adult dealing with work-related pain
Returning from injury and struggling with muscle tension
Dealing with chronic pain that hasn’t improved with stretching alone
If you’re unsure whether it’s right for you, a physical therapist can evaluate your movement, strength, and symptoms first.
If you’re looking for dry needling or sports-focused physical therapy in Winter Springs, Winter Park, Orlando, or surrounding Central Florida areas, we’d love to help.
Our one-on-one approach ensures every session is tailored to you — not a template.
Schedule an evaluation to find out whether dry needling may help reduce your pain, improve mobility, and get you back to moving comfortably again.
