DRY NEEDLING IN FAIRFIELD, CT

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Dry needling is a physical therapy technique that uses thin, solid filament needles (the same type used in acupuncture) to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular tissue, and connective tissue. The term "dry" refers to the fact that no substance is injected—the therapeutic effect comes from the mechanical and neurophysiological response to needle insertion.

How It Works:

When a needle is inserted into a trigger point (a hyperirritable spot within a taut band of muscle), several physiological responses occur:

→ Local Twitch Response — The muscle fiber contracts briefly and then releases, 

   reducing tension and deactivating the trigger point

→ Increased Blood Flow — Needle insertion creates a controlled microtrauma that 

   triggers increased circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to ischemic tissue

→ Biochemical Changes — Needling alters the local chemical environment, reducing 

   concentrations of pain-producing substances like bradykinin and substance P

→ Neural Reset — The sensory input from needling modulates pain signals at both 

   the spinal cord and brain level, reducing pain perception

Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture:

While both techniques use similar needles, they differ fundamentally:

- Dry Needling: Based on Western medicine, neuroanatomy, and musculoskeletal 

  assessment. Targets specific trigger points, motor points, and dysfunctional tissue 

  identified through physical examination.

- Acupuncture: Based on traditional Chinese medicine principles. Targets meridian 

  points to balance energy flow (qi) throughout the body.

At Visionary Physical Therapy, our Doctors of Physical Therapy use dry needling as 

part of evidence-based musculoskeletal treatment, integrating it with manual therapy, 

corrective exercise, and functional movement training.

Dry needling reduces pain through multiple, well-documented physiological mechanisms:

1. Trigger Point Deactivation

Myofascial trigger points are localized areas of muscle hypercontraction that restrict 

blood flow, compress nerve endings, and refer pain to other areas of the body. Research 

by Dommerholt et al. (2006) demonstrated that trigger points exhibit increased muscle 

fiber tension, reduced oxygen availability, and elevated concentrations of inflammatory 

mediators.

When a needle penetrates a trigger point, it disrupts this dysfunction by:

- Mechanically breaking up contracted muscle fibers

- Eliciting a local twitch response that releases tension

- Restoring normal muscle fiber length and function

2. Neurophysiological Pain Modulation

Dry needling activates multiple pain-reducing pathways in the nervous system. Studies 

by Cagnie et al. (2013) found that needling stimulates A-delta nerve fibers, which 

activate descending pain inhibition mechanisms in the brainstem and spinal cord. This 

process—similar to the gate control theory of pain—essentially "closes the gate" on 

pain signals traveling to the brain.

Additionally, dry needling has been shown to increase endorphin release, providing 

natural pain relief and reducing the need for pharmaceutical intervention.

3. Improved Microcirculation

Trigger points exist in a state of localized ischemia (restricted blood flow), which 

perpetuates pain and prevents healing. Shah et al. (2008) demonstrated that trigger 

points have significantly lower oxygen saturation compared to surrounding healthy tissue.

Dry needling reverses this by:

- Creating controlled microtrauma that triggers increased blood flow

- Delivering oxygen and nutrients to oxygen-starved tissue

- Removing accumulated metabolic waste products (lactate, bradykinin, substance P)

- Supporting tissue repair and reducing inflammatory response

4. Motor Point Stimulation

In addition to trigger points, dry needling can target motor points—the location where 

a motor nerve enters a muscle. Stimulating these points helps "reset" dysfunctional 

motor control patterns, improving muscle activation and coordination. This is particularly 

valuable for athletes and post-surgical patients who develop compensatory movement 

patterns due to pain or weakness.

5. Myofascial Tension Release

Beyond individual trigger points, dry needling affects the broader fascial system. By 

mechanically disrupting areas of increased tissue tension and reduced tissue glide, 

needling helps restore normal fascial mobility. This effect is enhanced when combined 

with movement during or immediately after needling—a technique we frequently employ at 

Visionary Physical Therapy.

At Visionary Physical Therapy, our Doctors of Physical Therapy use dry needling to 

treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions affecting athletes, active adults, 

and post-operative patients:

Chronic Pain Conditions:

→ Chronic neck pain and tension headaches

→ Chronic low back pain and sciatica

→ Myofascial pain syndrome

→ Fibromyalgia-related muscle pain

→ Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction

Sports Injuries:

→ Rotator cuff tendinopathy and impingement

→ Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)

→ Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis)

→ IT band syndrome

→ Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee)

→ Achilles tendinopathy

→ Hamstring strains and tightness

→ Hip flexor and groin strains

→ Plantar fasciitis

Post-Surgical Restrictions:

→ Persistent pain and muscle guarding after ACL reconstruction

→ Shoulder stiffness following rotator cuff repair

→ Scar tissue and fascial restrictions post-surgery

→ Muscle weakness and inhibition preventing full recovery

Movement Dysfunction:

→ Muscle imbalances limiting athletic performance

→ Postural dysfunction from desk work

→ Reduced range of motion affecting daily activities

→ Compensatory movement patterns causing secondary pain

Overuse Injuries:

→ Runner's knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome)

→ Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome)

→ Carpal tunnel syndrome

→ Thoracic outlet syndrome

Dry needling is particularly effective when combined with other physical therapy techniques 

such as manual therapy, corrective exercise, and movement retraining—all available during 

your 60-minute, 1-on-1 sessions at our clinic.

If you're considering dry needling for the first time, here's what to expect during your 

treatment:

Before Treatment (5-10 minutes)

Your Doctor of Physical Therapy will:

- Assess your movement patterns and identify areas of dysfunction

- Palpate muscles to locate active trigger points and areas of tension

- Explain the needling process and answer any questions

- Obtain your consent (required in Connecticut for dry needling)

You'll be positioned comfortably to allow access to the treatment area, with appropriate 

draping to maintain modesty while exposing only the necessary skin.

During Treatment (10-20 minutes)

Needle Insertion:

Your therapist will insert thin, sterile needles into identified trigger points. Most 

patients describe the sensation as a brief pinch or pressure—significantly less painful 

than an injection or blood draw. The needles are much thinner than hypodermic needles 

used for injections.

Local Twitch Response:

When the needle hits an active trigger point, you may experience a brief, involuntary 

muscle contraction called a local twitch response. While this can feel unusual, it's 

actually a positive sign—it indicates the trigger point is being released. The twitch 

typically lasts 1-2 seconds.

Sensations You May Feel:

- Muscle soreness or achiness (similar to pressure during massage)

- Heaviness or warmth in the treated area (indicates increased blood flow)

- Referral of sensation to another area (common with trigger points)

- Temporary muscle fatigue in the needled area

Needle Retention:

Needles typically remain in place for 5-15 minutes, depending on the technique and your 

response. Some techniques involve pistoning (gentle in-and-out movement) to elicit 

stronger trigger point release, while others use static needle placement.

After Treatment

Immediate Effects:

Most patients notice immediate improvements in:

- Reduced muscle tension and pain

- Increased range of motion

- Improved muscle activation

- Decreased referral pain patterns

Post-Treatment Soreness:

It's normal to experience mild soreness in the treated area for 24-48 hours after dry 

needling—similar to post-workout muscle soreness. This occurs because needling creates 

controlled microtrauma that triggers a healing response. Soreness typically peaks at 

24 hours and resolves by 48-72 hours.

Post-Treatment Recommendations:

- Stay hydrated (helps flush metabolic waste)

- Apply heat if soreness develops (increases blood flow)

- Gentle movement and stretching (avoid intense exercise for 24 hours)

- Ice if significant soreness occurs (reduces inflammation)

At Visionary PT, dry needling is integrated into your full 60-minute physical therapy 

session. After needling, your therapist will guide you through corrective exercises, 

manual therapy, or other treatments to maximize results. You'll also have complimentary 

access to our Revive Recovery Studio (infrared sauna, cold plunge, compression therapy) 

to enhance recovery.

How Many Sessions Are Needed?

The number of dry needling sessions depends on your condition:

- Acute injuries: 2-4 sessions

- Chronic pain: 6-10 sessions

- Post-surgical restrictions: 8-12 sessions

- Sports performance optimization: Ongoing as needed

Your Doctor of Physical Therapy will create a personalized treatment plan based on your 

specific needs and goals.

Performed by Doctors of Physical Therapy

In Connecticut, dry needling can only be performed by licensed physical therapists with 

specific training and certification. At Visionary PT, all dry needling treatments are 

performed by Doctors of Physical Therapy (DPT)—not physical therapy assistants or aides. 

Our therapists have completed advanced coursework in dry needling techniques, myofascial 

pain science, and trigger point anatomy.

Evidence-Based Application

We don't use dry needling because it's trendy—we use it because peer-reviewed research 

demonstrates its effectiveness for musculoskeletal pain. Our approach is grounded in 

current pain science, neuromuscular physiology, and functional movement assessment, 

ensuring you receive treatment backed by evidence, not anecdote.

Integrated with Comprehensive Care

Dry needling is never used in isolation at Visionary PT. It's strategically integrated 

into your complete physical therapy treatment plan alongside:

- Manual therapy (joint mobilization, soft tissue work)

- Corrective exercise and movement retraining

- Functional movement screening

- Sports performance training

- Recovery modalities (heat, cold, compression)

This multimodal approach addresses not just the trigger points themselves, but the 

underlying movement dysfunctions and biomechanical issues that caused them—preventing 

recurrence and supporting long-term results.

Individualized Treatment

No two patients receive the same dry needling treatment. Your Doctor of Physical Therapy 

tailors needle placement, technique, and treatment frequency based on:

- Your specific diagnosis and presentation

- Trigger point activity and referral patterns

- Tissue tolerance and response to needling

- Your goals (pain relief, performance, return to sport)

- Integration with other treatment modalities

Complimentary Recovery Center Access

Every dry needling session at Visionary PT includes complimentary access to our Revive 

Recovery Studio, featuring infrared sauna, cold plunge therapy, compression therapy, and 

red light therapy—all proven to enhance recovery and reduce post-treatment soreness.

Proven Results

With 225+ five-star Google reviews and a 78% patient conversion rate, Visionary Physical 

Therapy is trusted by athletes and active adults throughout Fairfield County—from high 

school competitors in Westport and Trumbull to adult athletes in Darien and Southport. 

Our systematic, evidence-based approach—including strategic use of dry needling—consistently 

delivers results for patients seeking lasting pain relief and performance optimization.