Dry Needling
Dry needling is an effective treatment technique used to reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore muscle function. At Forge Performance Physical Therapy, we use dry needling as part of a comprehensive treatment plan when it supports your recovery and performance goals.
It’s never a standalone “quick fix.”
It’s one tool within a bigger strategy to help you move better and feel stronger.
What is dry needling?
Dry needling involves inserting a very thin, solid filament needle into tight or irritated muscle tissue — often referred to as trigger points.
These trigger points can contribute to:
Local pain
Referred pain
Muscle tightness
Reduced mobility
Decreased strength output
The needle does not inject medication. Instead, it stimulates the muscle and surrounding tissue to help reset tension, improve blood flow, and reduce neuromuscular dysfunction.
How does dry needling work?
Dry needling may:
Increase local blood flow
Reduce muscle tightness and guarding
Improve joint mobility
Decrease nerve sensitivity
Restore more normal muscle activation
For athletes and active adults, this can mean faster symptom relief and improved movement quality — allowing us to progress your strength and rehab plan more effectively.
What conditions does dry needling help?
Dry needling is often used as part of treatment for:
Neck and low back pain
Shoulder pain
Tennis or golfer’s elbow
Headaches
Hip and gluteal pain
Knee pain
Achilles tendon issues
Sciatica
Muscle strains and ligament sprains
We determine whether dry needling is appropriate after a thorough evaluation.
Does dry needling hurt?
Most patients describe dry needling as mildly uncomfortable rather than painful. The needles are extremely thin, and many people are surprised at how minimal the sensation is.
You may feel a brief twitch response in the muscle — this is normal and often a sign that the trigger point has been stimulated.
Many patients feel noticeable relief shortly after treatment.
What side effects can I expect after the treatment?
Side effects are typically mild and temporary. You may experience:
Muscle soreness (similar to a tough workout)
Mild fatigue
Small bruising at the insertion site
Soreness usually resolves within 24–48 hours and is often followed by improved mobility and reduced pain.
What is the cost of dry needling?
The cost of dry needling is determined by the number of sessions you will need to undergo, this will be determined after the initial assessment. We are one of the leading premium dry needling providers in Gainesville, Florida.
What is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?
While both techniques use thin needles, dry needling is based on modern musculoskeletal and neuromuscular science.
Dry needling focuses specifically on muscle dysfunction and movement limitations.
Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and energy flow concepts.
At Forge, dry needling is used strictly to address pain and movement impairments.
What should I expect from the treatment?
The experience after dry needling varies with each patient, but it’s common to have muscle soreness and a feeling of fatigue after trigger point dry needling physical therapy. The soreness may last several hours or days, and is similar to how the body feels after an intense workout. Any extreme soreness or soreness that lasts more than 48 hours should be reported to the provider.
Some patients can experience a sensation where their muscles “twitch,” and move spontaneously after treatment. You may also experience mild bruising where the needle enters the skin, but this will soon fade. Bruising is common to some areas that are more sensitive than others, such as the shoulders, the base of the neck, the head and face, and the extremities. You can treat the bruising with ice as needed. Remember that dry needling is an invasive treatment, where we are stimulating the muscles, and your body may feel tired after the process. If you have any concerns about how you feel after treatment, please contact the provider.
For more information or if you would like to know if dry needling would be a good treatment option for you, please schedule an appointment!