Choose Bushnell for Dry Needling Services
When you choose dry needling at Bushnell Physical Therapy, you’re not just getting temporary relief—you’re investing in long-term results. Our goal is to help you move, feel, and live better by addressing the root cause of your pain, not just the symptoms.
Dry needling isn’t just about relieving pain in the moment—it’s about improving how you live your life every day. Whether you’re an athlete, a busy professional, or someone simply trying to enjoy life without discomfort, this treatment can make a meaningful difference.
What This Means For You:
Release Muscle Tension:
Targets and releases painful knots that stretching and massage can’t fully address.
Improve Blood Flow & Healing:
Increases circulation to help muscles heal faster and recover from overuse or injury.
Fast, Effective Pain Relief:
Many patients experience immediate relief or reduced pain after treatment.
Reset Muscle Function:
Helps restore proper communication between muscles and nerves for healthier movement.
Break the Pain Cycle:
Addresses the root cause of chronic tension and pain—not just the symptoms.
*Dry needling is not performed on acute injuries or immediately after surgery. Typically, treatment begins about 6 weeks after an injury, or once there are no signs of acute inflammation.
What to Expect During a Dry Needling Session
Targeted Treatment of Trigger Points
Your therapist will identify the specific muscle or area that contains a painful trigger point (or “knot”)—the source of your discomfort.
Insertion of a Thin Needle
A very thin, sterile monofilament needle is inserted directly into the affected muscle. This is not acupuncture, though it uses a similar tool.
Twitch Response and Muscle Release
Often, the needle will cause a brief twitch response in the muscle. This is a quick contraction followed by a noticeable release of tension.
Temporary Soreness Is Normal
It’s common to feel some soreness during treatment and possibly a deep ache later the same day. This is a normal part of the healing process and typically fades quickly.
Relief and Reset
Following the release, you should notice a reduction in tension and pain—often immediately. The treatment also provides a neuromuscular reset, helping the muscle return to normal function.
Part of a Complete Plan
Dry needling is most effective when combined with a personalized therapeutic exercise program to help reinforce the muscle’s normal function and prevent the pain from returning.
Primary Benefits of Service
Reduce Muscle Tension
Dry needling directly targets trigger points—those stubborn, tight bands of muscle that stretching and massage often can’t fully release. When the needle stimulates the trigger point, it causes the muscle to contract (twitch) and then immediately relax, providing a noticeable release of tension.
Increase Blood Flow and Accelerate Healing
When tension is released from the muscle, blood flow improves significantly. This brings oxygen and nutrients into the tissue while flushing out waste products. This process is particularly helpful in recovering from overuse injuries, chronic tightness, or lingering pain from past injuries.
Relieve Pain—Often Immediately
Many patients experience an immediate reduction in pain following treatment. While some temporary soreness may occur after needling, it is typically followed by a noticeable decrease in pain and stiffness—sometimes even after the very first session.
Neuromuscular Reset
Dry needling helps “reset” the connection between nerves and muscles, encouraging the body to return to normal, healthy movement patterns. This improves how the muscle functions and helps prevent the same issue from recurring.
What Our Customers Are Saying
Don’t just take it from us, let our customers do the talking!
“Although I haven’t had to use physical therapy clinics very often in the past, Bushnell Physical Therapy clinic is, by far the best that I have experienced. I was impressed, on my first visit, by the cleanliness of the facility and the well maintained and organized fixtures and equipment. The staff is friendly, caring and very professional. I highly recommend Bushnell Physical Therapy. “
“My daughter has been in a pretty injury prone, high impact sport for a very long time so we’ve had our experiences with physical therapy clinics. We LOVED this one. They rearranged things to get her in fast, had all the treatment options we were looking for, explained things really well, and were just easy to deal with. Would definitely recommend.“
“This is the best PT clinic in all of Utah! No need to look any further! I’ve come to Bushnell PT for several years and I’ve never been disappointed with my care. Their team of amazing PTs and PTAs have a talent of making physical therapy enjoyable and productive at the same time! They focus on the big picture of your care, instead of a quick, patchwork recovery. I’m so grateful to BPT for always getting me back doing the things I love!“
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
No. While both use very thin needles, dry needling is not acupuncture. It’s a modern, science-based treatment that targets trigger points (muscle knots) to relieve pain and improve function, whereas acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine and focuses on energy pathways.
Does dry needling hurt?
Most people feel a quick sting or prick when the needle is inserted, often followed by a “twitch response”—a brief muscle contraction that leads to immediate tension release. Some soreness or a deep ache later that day is normal but typically fades within a day or two.
How soon will I feel relief?
Many patients feel relief right after the twitch response, while others notice improvement later the same day or after initial soreness subsides. Relief is often even greater when paired with a customized exercise plan.
Is dry needling safe for recent injuries or post-surgery?
No. Dry needling is not performed on acute injuries or directly after surgery. Treatment typically begins about 6 weeks after an injury or once inflammation has resolved.
What conditions does dry needling help with?
Dry needling is effective for a wide range of issues, including:
– Back and neck pain
– Headaches and TMJ
– Sciatica and IT band pain
– Tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis
– Achilles tendinopathy, shin splints, and more
Reach out today
If we didn’t answer all of your questions, feel free to drop us a line anytime.