Dry needling uses thin, sterile needles to target trigger points—small, tight bands of muscle that contribute to pain, stiffness, or limited range of motion. By releasing these areas, we reduce tension, improve muscle activation, and restore more natural movement patterns. Many patients experience immediate relief, while others see improvement over several sessions as the tissue adapts and heals.

Dry needling is effective for a wide range of musculoskeletal issues, including chronic tightness, acute muscle spasms, tendon-related pain, post-operative stiffness, running-related injuries, headaches, and back or neck pain. It pairs especially well with physical therapy exercises and manual therapy to create lasting improvements in movement and function.

At Highlander, dry needling is just one tool within your personalized treatment program. We use it to accelerate tissue recovery, reduce muscle tension, and improve how a joint or muscle performs — but it’s always paired with exercise, movement training, and hands-on therapy to give you long-term results rather than temporary relief.

A licensed physical therapist will assess your symptoms, identify the muscular sources of your pain, and insert thin filiform needles into specific trigger points. You may feel a quick muscle twitch or deep ache—this is a normal response and indicates that the muscle is releasing. Sessions are typically quick, highly targeted, and tailored to your comfort level.

By improving blood flow, reducing protective muscle guarding, and restoring natural muscle activation, dry needling helps your body move more efficiently. When combined with corrective exercises and mobility work, it helps retrain movement patterns, reduce reinjury risk, and create more durable, long-lasting changes in pain and performance.