If you’ve been dealing with stubborn pain or muscle tightness that just won’t go away—whether from an old injury, sitting at a desk all day, or pushing your body during workouts—dry needling might be the missing piece in your recovery.

Many people in Wichita are discovering that dry needling offers fast, lasting relief when other treatments fall short. But what is it, how does it work, and is it right for you?

Let’s break it down.

What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a skilled physical therapy technique where a thin, sterile needle is inserted directly into muscle “trigger points” (those tight, knotted areas that are often tender to the touch). The goal is to release tension, improve mobility, and reduce pain at its source.

Despite the needles, dry needling is not acupuncture. While both use similar tools, acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine, whereas dry needling is rooted in modern anatomical and neurological science.

How Does It Work?

When a needle targets a trigger point or tight muscle band, it stimulates a local twitch response—like hitting a muscle reset button. This response:

• Releases built-up tension
  
  
• Improves blood flow
  
  
• Restores normal muscle function
  
  
• Reduces irritation to surrounding nerves and joints
  
  

Many people experience immediate relief and increased range of motion after just one session.

What Conditions Can Dry Needling Help With?

At Natural Wellness Physiotherapy, we use dry needling to treat a wide range of conditions, including:

• Neck and shoulder tension
  
  
• Low back pain
  
  
• Hip tightness and glute pain
  
  
• IT band syndrome
  
  
• Plantar fasciitis
  
  
• Sciatica
  
  
• TMJ/jaw pain
  
  
• Chronic tension headaches
  
  
• Muscle recovery for athletes
  
  

Whether you’re an office worker with nagging shoulder pain or a runner with chronic tightness in your calves or hamstrings, dry needling can help restore function and speed up healing.

Is Dry Needling Safe?

Yes—when performed by a licensed, certified physical therapist, dry needling is safe and effective. The needles are extremely thin (most people feel little to no discomfort), and we follow all clinical hygiene and safety protocols.

Some people feel mild soreness for 24–48 hours after treatment—similar to post-workout soreness—but many notice immediate improvements in pain and movement.

What Makes Our Approach Different?

At Natural Wellness Physiotherapy, we don’t just “poke and hope.” Dry needling is one tool in a broader, evidence-based approach. We combine it with:

• Manual therapy
  
  
• Targeted mobility and strength work
  
  
• Education and movement retraining
  
  

This helps you get longer-lasting results and addresses the root cause of your symptoms—not just the surface-level pain.

Plus, all of our sessions are one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy who is trained in advanced dry needling techniques. You won’t be rushed, handed off to an assistant, or left wondering what’s next.

Should You Try Dry Needling?

If you’re dealing with:

• Muscle tightness that won’t go away
  
  
• A chronic injury or flare-up
  
  
• A plateau in your recovery
  
  
• Pain that’s limiting your workouts or daily life
  
  

…then yes, dry needling may be exactly what you need to get past it.

Want to see if dry needling is right for you?

📍 We serve Wichita, Andover, Derby and Maize with expert, personalized care.

📞 Book your one-on-one evaluation today or call us at 316-290-9158 to learn more.

Let’s help you move better, feel better, and get back to what you love.