If you’ve been dealing with muscle tightness, nagging pain, or limited range of motion that just won’t go away, you might have heard about dry needling—especially if you’re active or spend a lot of time at the gym.
At Natural Wellness Physiotherapy in Wichita, KS dry needling is one of our most requested services by athletes, runners, weekend warriors, and busy professionals alike.
But what exactly is dry needling? And how does it help?
Let’s break it down.
Dry needling is a technique used by licensed physical therapists to treat pain, muscle tension, and movement dysfunction.
It involves inserting a very thin, sterile needle into specific trigger points in a muscle—tight, irritable spots that can cause pain or restrict mobility.
Unlike acupuncture (which is based on traditional Chinese medicine), dry needling is rooted in modern Western science and physical therapy principles. It targets neuromuscular dysfunction and helps reset the way muscles behave.
When a dry needle is inserted into a tight or overactive muscle, it causes a local twitch response and stimulates the body’s natural healing process.
Here’s what that means for you:
✅ Releases muscle knots and trigger points
✅ Increases blood flow to tight or injured areas
✅ Reduces pain and inflammation
✅ Improves mobility and flexibility
✅ Restores normal function faster than stretching or massage alone
Think of it as hitting the “reset” button on a tight or dysfunctional muscle.
Dry needling is especially helpful if you’re:
We frequently use dry needling as part of a broader performance physical therapy plan for active adults—because it works.
Most people describe the sensation as a “deep ache” or a quick muscle twitch—not like getting a shot or blood drawn.
Some soreness is normal for a day or two afterward (like post-workout soreness), but most patients feel freer and looser immediately after treatment.
Our therapists are certified in dry needling and have used it to help hundreds of patients reduce pain, improve mobility, and return to doing what they love—faster.
We integrate dry needling into a full plan of care that also includes:
It’s not a stand-alone fix—it’s part of a complete approach to long-term recovery and performance.
If you’ve been stretching, rolling, or massaging the same tight spot over and over with no real change, dry needling might be the missing link.
📍 Available at our east and west Wichita clinics
📞 Schedule a 1-on-1 session with one of our licensed physical therapists
💪 Feel the difference in your first session
Helping active adults move better, feel stronger, and recover faster—without relying on medications, injections, or surgery.