At Cornerstone Wellness Center, we offer Dry Needling as part of our comprehensive approach to pain relief and musculoskeletal healing. Performed by trained healthcare professionals, dry needling is a powerful, evidence-based technique that targets muscular trigger points to reduce pain, restore function, and accelerate recovery.

Whether you’re dealing with lingering muscle tension, chronic pain, or recovering from an injury, dry needling may be the missing link in your healing process.

What is Dry Needling?

Dry Needling is a technique that uses thin, sterile, monofilament needles inserted directly into myofascial trigger points—commonly referred to as “knots” in the muscle. These trigger points are often the underlying source of pain, tightness, and restricted movement.

Unlike acupuncture, which is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, dry needling is based on modern Western anatomy and neurophysiology. It focuses on restoring normal function to irritated or dysfunctional muscles.

When inserted into a trigger point, the needle stimulates a twitch response and helps release muscle tension, improve circulation, and decrease local and referred pain.

What is it good for?

Dry Needling is effective for a wide variety of acute and chronic conditions, including:

Neck and back pain
Shoulder impingement
Sciatica
Tension headaches and migraines
Tendonitis and bursitis
TMJ dysfunction
Plantar fasciitis
Muscle strains and spasms
Postural imbalances
Sports-related injuries

By targeting the muscular and neural sources of pain, dry needling often provides relief where other methods have fallen short.

How does it work?

When a needle is inserted into a trigger point, it causes a localized twitch response—a brief contraction followed by a relaxation of the muscle. This reflex, combined with the mechanical stimulation of the needle, helps:

Release tight or knotted muscles
Reduce inflammation
Improve blood flow and oxygenation to the area
Reset dysfunctional neuromuscular patterns
Decrease pressure on surrounding nerves and joints

Patients often report an immediate improvement in mobility and a noticeable decrease in pain, especially when dry needling is paired with other therapies like physical therapy or chiropractic care.

Is it painful?

Most patients describe the sensation as a brief, mild discomfort—often followed by a deep sense of muscle release. Some soreness may occur after treatment, similar to what you might feel after a good workout. This usually resolves within 24 to 48 hours.

Our team is skilled at tailoring treatments to your comfort level and making the experience as relaxing and therapeutic as possible.

Can it be used alongside other treatments?

Yes—dry needling is frequently integrated with chiropractic care, massage therapy, physical therapy, and corrective exercise to maximize results. At Cornerstone Wellness Center, we believe in treating the root of the problem from multiple angles to support faster healing and long-term relief.