When Muscles Won't Let Go
Some pain is straightforward. You push too hard, rest for a few days, and things settle down. But a lot of patients come in with pain that doesn't follow that pattern. A tight spot in the shoulder that keeps coming back. A muscle that cramps up no matter how much you stretch. A nagging ache in the hip, neck, or calf that just won't clear.
Often, the issue is a trigger point: a small, contracted knot of muscle tissue that doesn't release on its own. Stretching can work around it. Massage can temporarily relieve it. But if the trigger point itself isn't addressed, the problem tends to return.
That's exactly what dry needling is designed to do.
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling uses a thin filament needle, inserted directly into a muscle trigger point, to produce a release response in the tissue. There's no medication involved — the needle itself is the tool. When it reaches the trigger point, the muscle responds with a brief twitch, followed by relaxation. Most patients feel a significant reduction in tightness within the session or the day after.
It's a distinct technique from acupuncture. Dry needling is rooted in musculoskeletal and neuromuscular anatomy, targeting specific muscles and trigger points rather than energy meridians. The goals are different, the training is different, and the clinical application is different.
Dry Needling at OV Spine & Sport
Dr. Nate Kinnison holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and a Master of Science in Sports Medicine; credentials that inform a fundamentally different approach to muscle pain. Rather than treating dry needling as a standalone procedure, Dr. Nate integrates it with chiropractic adjustments, myofascial cupping, and functional rehabilitation to address the full picture of what's driving your symptoms.
Some sessions focus entirely on dry needling. Others combine it with other techniques based on what you need that day. The goal is the same either way: find what's actually holding your body back, and address it directly.
OV Spine & Sport treats a wide range of conditions with dry needling, including neck and shoulder tension, rotator cuff irritation, lower back pain and hip tightness, plantar fasciitis, calf and Achilles issues, and sports injuries that haven't fully resolved.
What to Expect at Your Dry Needling Appointment
Step 1: Assessment
Step 2: Treatment
Step 3: Your Plan
What Patients Notice After Dry Needling
For most patients, the results are noticeable within one to three sessions:
- Reduced muscle tightness and improved range of motion in the treated area
- Less pain with movement, including activities that were previously aggravating
- Better response from chiropractic adjustments and other treatments when muscle tension is no longer in the way
Dry needling doesn't mask pain; it addresses the tissue itself. That's what makes the results durable rather than temporary.
Chiropractic
Our integrated approach combines Neuro care for your brain, muscular care for your Muscles, and chiropractic care for your Joints. Combining these helps improve the Brain’s pain pathways, Muscle tension, and Joint tension. We are happy to introduce you to this progressive treatment to sustain healing and maintain well-being.
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Dr. Nate Kinnison
Book NowFrequently Asked Questions About Dry Needling
Most patients describe it as a brief, deep pressure or muscle twitch rather than sharp pain. The sensation passes quickly, and most people feel noticeably looser in the treated area by the end of the session. Mild soreness the following day is normal.
No. Both use thin needles, but the techniques are based on different frameworks. Dry needling targets specific muscle trigger points using principles from sports medicine and anatomy. Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and works with energy pathways. The needle, the target, and the goal are all different.
Most patients see meaningful improvement in two to four sessions. Dr. Nate will give you a realistic timeline after your assessment; there's no pressure to commit to an open-ended schedule.
OV Spine & Sport is a self-pay practice. Pricing is discussed during your initial consultation, and superbills are provided for patients who wish to submit to their insurance for potential reimbursement.
Dry needling is effective for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions: chronic neck and shoulder tension, back pain, hip and glute tightness, plantar fasciitis, sports injuries, and recurring muscle pain that hasn't responded to other approaches.
Ready to Finally Let That Muscle Go?
Book your first visit and find out what's actually behind your pain.
