When Pain Keeps You From Living Your Life
Whether you’re training for your next marathon, trying to keep up with your kids, or just dealing with chronic neck pain from hours at a desk, persistent muscle pain can derail everything. You’ve tried rest, ice, heat, stretching, and maybe even pain medication, but the discomfort keeps coming back. That nagging tightness in your shoulder blade, the shooting pain down your leg, or the stiffness in your lower back that won’t go away—these aren’t just annoyances. They’re signals that something deeper is going on in your muscles.
For many people in Orlando and Winter Park, dry needling has become a game-changer for pain relief and recovery. This evidence-based treatment targets the root cause of many muscle pain problems: trigger points. At Orlando Alternative Health, we use dry needling to help patients get back to the activities they love, whether that’s running, playing with their children, or simply sitting through a workday without constant discomfort.
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a therapeutic technique that uses thin, sterile needles to treat muscular pain and movement problems. The term “dry” simply means there’s no medication or injection involved—just the needle itself. A trained practitioner inserts these needles directly into trigger points, which are tight bands of muscle tissue that cause pain and restrict movement.
When a needle enters a trigger point, it creates a local twitch response—a brief contraction of the muscle fibers. This might sound uncomfortable, but it’s actually a sign that the treatment is working. The twitch response helps release the tension in the muscle, increases blood flow to the area, and begins the healing process.
Dry needling is different from randomly inserting needles into sore muscles. It requires detailed knowledge of anatomy, muscle function, and pain patterns. The technique is based on decades of scientific research into how muscles develop trigger points and what causes chronic pain.
The Science Behind Trigger Points
The foundation of modern trigger point therapy comes from the groundbreaking work of Dr. Janet Travell and David Simons. Dr. Travell, who served as the White House physician to Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, spent years researching muscle pain patterns. Together with Dr. Simons, she published extensive work documenting how trigger points form, where they refer pain, and how to treat them effectively.
Their research showed that trigger points aren’t just tight muscles—they’re dysfunctional areas where muscle fibers have become chronically contracted. These points can develop from overuse, injury, poor posture, stress, or repetitive movements. Once formed, they create a cycle of pain and dysfunction that doesn’t resolve on its own.
What makes trigger points particularly frustrating is that they often cause referred pain, meaning you feel discomfort in a different location than where the actual problem exists. For example, trigger points in your neck muscles might cause headaches, or trigger points in your gluteal muscles might create pain that feels like sciatica down your leg.
This is where dry needling becomes so valuable. By precisely targeting these trigger points, we can interrupt the pain cycle and restore normal muscle function.
Understanding Dry Needling and Acupuncture
Many people ask about the difference between dry needling and acupuncture. Here’s what you need to know: dry needling is acupuncture. According to Jan Dommerholt, one of the founding figures of dry needling in the United States, dry needling is simply a specific approach within the broader field of acupuncture.
The confusion often comes from misconceptions about what acupuncture actually is. While some styles of acupuncture do incorporate traditional Chinese medicine concepts like Qi and meridians, many modern acupuncture practitioners—including those who practice dry needling—work primarily from anatomical and neurophysiological principles. Acupuncture as a field is much more diverse than most people realize, encompassing everything from channel theory-based approaches to purely science-based trigger point therapy.
What makes this even more important to understand is that “dry needling” itself isn’t a standardized technique. There are over 60 companies teaching dry needling in the United States, and the quality of training varies dramatically. Some programs are rigorous and evidence-based, while others fall short. Additionally, different approaches call themselves “dry needling”—some involve needle retention with electrical stimulation, others focus on quick trigger point release without retention, and still others use various combinations of techniques.
At Orlando Alternative Health, we practice trigger point dry needling based on the Myopain Seminars approach. Myopain Seminars is recognized as one of the leading organizations for evidence-based trigger point therapy education, grounded in the research of Dr. Janet Travell and David Simons. Our certification through Myopain Seminars—and my role as an assistant instructor with the organization—ensures you’re receiving treatment based on rigorous anatomical knowledge, current pain science research, and proven clinical techniques.
The bottom line is this: quality matters far more than terminology. What’s important is that your practitioner has comprehensive training in anatomy, trigger point science, and safe needling practices. That’s what ensures real, lasting results.
Benefits of Dry Needling for Pain Relief
Dry needling offers powerful benefits for a wide range of pain conditions. Here’s what patients commonly experience:
Immediate Pain Reduction
Many people notice decreased pain right after their first session. As trigger points release, the associated muscle tension and referred pain often diminish significantly.
Improved Range of Motion
When muscles are locked up with trigger points, movement becomes restricted. Dry needling helps restore normal muscle length and flexibility, making it easier to move without pain or stiffness.
Enhanced Blood Flow and Healing
The needling process increases circulation to the treated area, bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients while removing metabolic waste products. This accelerates natural healing.
Reduced Muscle Tension
Chronic muscle tightness creates a burden on your entire body. Releasing trigger points allows muscles to relax and function normally again.
Better Sleep Quality
When pain keeps you awake or prevents restful sleep, dry needling can help break that cycle. Many patients report sleeping better after treatment.
Decreased Reliance on Pain Medication
By addressing the source of pain rather than just masking symptoms, dry needling often reduces or eliminates the need for pain medications.
Conditions Treated with Dry Needling
Dry needling is effective for numerous musculoskeletal conditions. At our dry needling clinic in Orlando, we commonly treat:
Neck and Shoulder Pain
Whether from poor posture, desk work, or injury, trigger points in the neck and shoulders are extremely common. Dry needling can release the tight bands causing headaches, neck stiffness, and shoulder blade pain.
Lower Back Pain
Chronic low back pain often involves trigger points in the lumbar muscles, glutes, and hip flexors. Targeting these areas with dry needling provides relief that stretching alone cannot achieve.
Sports Injuries
Runners, cyclists, CrossFit athletes, and weekend warriors frequently develop overuse injuries. Dry needling speeds recovery from conditions like IT band syndrome, hamstring strains, rotator cuff problems, and tennis elbow.
Headaches and Migraines
Many tension headaches and even some migraines are triggered by tight muscles in the neck, jaw, and upper back. Dry needling these areas can significantly reduce headache frequency and intensity.
Plantar Fasciitis
This painful foot condition often responds well to dry needling of the calf muscles and foot, combined with other therapies.
TMJ and Jaw Pain
Trigger points in the jaw muscles can cause pain with chewing, talking, or even at rest. Careful needling of these muscles provides relief.
Sciatica-Like Pain
While true sciatica involves nerve compression, many cases of shooting leg pain actually come from trigger points in the gluteal muscles. Dry needling can resolve this type of referred pain.
Dry Needling for Athletes and Performance Recovery
If you’re an athlete or active individual, dry needling offers specific advantages for both injury recovery and performance enhancement. The technique helps you:
Recover Faster Between Workouts
Intense training creates micro-trauma in muscles. Dry needling accelerates recovery by improving circulation and releasing accumulated tension, so you can train harder more consistently.
Prevent Injuries
Trigger points create muscle imbalances and movement compensations that increase injury risk. Regular dry needling helps maintain optimal muscle function and biomechanics.
Restore Full Range of Motion
Athletic performance depends on unrestricted movement. When trigger points limit your shoulder rotation, hip extension, or ankle mobility, dry needling can quickly restore these crucial ranges of motion.
Break Through Training Plateaus
Sometimes you can’t progress in your training because muscle dysfunction is holding you back. Releasing trigger points can unlock new levels of strength and performance.
Compete at Your Best
Many athletes use dry needling as part of their pre-competition preparation to ensure muscles are functioning optimally when it matters most.
Professional and recreational athletes across Orlando are discovering that dry needling isn’t just for treating injuries—it’s a valuable tool for maintaining peak performance.
Dry Needling for Everyday Pain Relief
You don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from dry needling. In fact, many of our patients at Orlando Alternative Health are dealing with pain from everyday activities:
Office Workers
Sitting at a computer for hours creates trigger points in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Dry needling combined with posture correction can eliminate chronic desk-related pain.
Parents and Caregivers
Lifting children, carrying car seats, and the physical demands of parenting create muscle strain. Dry needling helps you keep up with your kids without constant pain.
Manual Laborers
Repetitive movements and physical work take a toll on muscles. Regular dry needling can keep your body functioning well despite the demands of your job.
Anyone with Chronic Pain
If you’ve been dealing with muscle pain for months or years, trigger points are likely part of the problem. Dry needling addresses the source rather than just managing symptoms.
What to Expect During Dry Needling Treatment
Understanding what happens during a session helps you feel more comfortable and confident:
Initial Assessment
Your practitioner will ask about your pain history, daily activities, and movement patterns. They’ll perform physical tests to identify which muscles contain trigger points and how they’re affecting your body.
Precise Needle Placement
Using anatomical landmarks and palpation skills, your practitioner locates the exact trigger point causing your pain. They insert a thin needle directly into this point.
The Twitch Response
You may feel a brief muscle twitch when the needle hits the trigger point. This is normal and indicates successful targeting. Some people describe it as a quick cramping sensation that immediately releases.
Post-Needling Sensations
After treatment, the area might feel sore, similar to post-workout muscle soreness. This typically lasts 24-48 hours and is a sign of the healing process beginning.
Progressive Improvement
While some relief may be immediate, optimal results usually require several sessions as layers of muscle dysfunction are addressed.
Training and Certification: Why Experience Matters
Dry needling is a skilled technique that requires extensive training. At Orlando Alternative Health, our practitioners are certified through Myopain Seminars, the leading authority in trigger point dry needling education. Myopain Seminars provides comprehensive training based on the latest research in pain science and musculoskeletal medicine.
As an assistant instructor with Myopain Seminars, I’ve not only completed advanced certification but also help teach other healthcare providers this precise technique. This level of expertise means you’re receiving treatment from someone who understands the subtleties of muscle anatomy, trigger point patterns, and safe needling practices.
The quality of your dry needling treatment depends entirely on your practitioner’s knowledge and experience. Choosing a certified provider ensures you’re getting evidence-based care from someone who has invested in mastering this technique.
Self-Care Strategies to Support Your Dry Needling Treatment
While professional treatment is essential, there are effective steps you can take at home to enhance your results and maintain the benefits between sessions.
Gentle Movement and Stretching
After dry needling, your muscles need gentle movement to integrate the changes. Avoid intense workouts for 24 hours, but do keep moving. Light walking, easy stretching, and gentle range-of-motion exercises help flush out released toxins and prevent muscles from tightening back up. Focus on slow, controlled movements rather than aggressive stretching.
Heat Therapy
Applying heat to treated areas increases blood flow and helps muscles relax. Use a heating pad, warm bath, or hot shower to soothe post-treatment soreness. Heat works particularly well in the evening after your session. Aim for 15-20 minutes at a time, and always use a barrier between the heat source and your skin to prevent burns.
Hydration and Rest
Dry needling releases metabolic waste products that have accumulated in trigger points. Drinking plenty of water helps your body flush these toxins out. Aim for at least eight glasses of water in the 24 hours following treatment. Also, prioritize quality sleep—this is when your body does its deepest healing work. Your muscles need adequate rest to fully recover and rebuild after dry needling sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does dry needling hurt?
Most people describe it as a quick pinch when the needle enters the skin, followed by a deep ache or cramping sensation when it hits the trigger point. The discomfort is brief and often followed by immediate relief.
Q: How many sessions will I need?
This varies based on how long you’ve had pain and how many trigger points are involved. Some acute injuries respond in 2-3 sessions, while chronic conditions may require 6-8 sessions or more for lasting relief.
Q: Is dry needling safe?
When performed by a properly trained and certified practitioner, dry needling is very safe. Minor bruising or temporary soreness are the most common side effects.
Q: Can I exercise after dry needling?
Light movement is encouraged, but avoid intense workouts for 24 hours. Your muscles need time to recover from the treatment.
Q: How is this different from getting a massage?
Massage works on the surface layers of muscle tissue, while dry needling reaches deep trigger points that hands cannot effectively access. Many patients benefit from combining both therapies.
Q: Will my insurance cover dry needling?
Coverage varies by insurance plan. We recommend checking with your provider. Many patients use HSA or FSA accounts for treatment.
Why Choose Orlando Alternative Health for Dry Needling
Expert Training and Certification
Our practitioners are certified through Myopain Seminars and have extensive experience treating trigger points effectively and safely.
Comprehensive Approach
We combine dry needling with other therapies like acupuncture, cupping, and nutritional support for optimal results.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Every patient receives an individualized plan based on their specific pain patterns, lifestyle, and goals.
Convenient Winter Park Location
Easy access for patients throughout the Orlando area, with flexible scheduling to fit your busy life.
Proven Results
We help athletes, professionals, and active individuals overcome pain and get back to performing at their best.
Take the First Step Toward Pain Relief
You don’t have to accept chronic pain as your new normal. Whether you’re dealing with a sports injury, desk-related tension, or long-standing muscle pain, dry needling offers an effective, evidence-based solution. By targeting the trigger points causing your discomfort, we can help you move better, feel better, and return to the activities that matter most.
Stop letting pain hold you back. Schedule a dry needling consultation with Orlando Alternative Health and discover how this powerful technique can transform your recovery and performance.
Ready to experience the benefits of dry needling?