At Princeton Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine, LLC, dry needling is not a stand-alone, quick-fix treatment. Every patient is first evaluated to determine if dry needling is appropriate based on their specific condition.
Our Approach to Dry Needling & Physical Therapy
Individualized Evaluation Comes First
At our clinic, every patient receives a comprehensive physical therapy evaluation before any treatment begins. We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach or “needle first and ask questions later.”
Dry needling is only used when clinically appropriate and based on your specific condition, movement patterns, and goals.
When beneficial, dry needling may be combined with other evidence-based therapies, including:
- Cupping therapy
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM / ASTYM / Graston® techniques)
These treatments are used strategically—not routinely—to support optimal recovery.
Our Treatment Philosophy: Fix the Cause, Not Just the Pain
Dry needling helps relieve symptoms—but exercise and rehabilitation are what fix the problem.
Dry needling can help:
- Reduce pain
- Decrease muscle tension
- Improve short-term mobility
However, it is not a standalone or long-term solution.
Our goal is to identify and correct the root cause of your pain, not just temporarily reduce symptoms.
What Your Physical Therapy Treatment Includes
Your personalized treatment plan will almost always include:
- Targeted stretching programs
- Strength training and progressive loading
- Proper tissue loading and unloading strategies
- Correction of muscle imbalances (agonist vs. antagonist muscles)
- Movement retraining and functional education
We focus on active rehabilitation, meaning:
👉 You’ll be taught what to do, not just treated
👉 You’ll gain tools to manage and prevent future issues
👉 Your plan is built for long-term results and injury prevention
Dry Needling Techniques We Use
We utilize advanced dry needling techniques to support pain relief and muscle function:
Static (Sustained) Dry Needling
- Needle is inserted and left in place
- Helps promote muscle relaxation and pain reduction
Dynamic (Pistoning) Dry Needling
- Most commonly used technique
- Needle is gently moved to:
- Identify trigger points
- Release tight or dysfunctional tissue
Dry Needling with Electrical Stimulation
- Uses a state-of-the-art e-stim unit
- Up to 6 channels (treating multiple areas simultaneously when appropriate)
- Helps improve:
- Muscle activation
- Relaxation
- Overall treatment effectiveness
What to Expect from Dry Needling Therapy
Dry needling is part of a comprehensive physical therapy session, not a standalone service.
During your visit, you can expect:
- Guided therapeutic exercises
- Education about your condition
- A structured plan to address the underlying issue
This Is Not a Passive Treatment
You won’t just come in, get needled, and leave.
Your active participation is essential.
- You’ll receive customized exercises
- You’ll be given clear instructions for at-home care
- Your progress depends on consistent follow-through
Long-Term Results Through Active Rehabilitation
- Dry needling = short-term symptom relief
- Exercise and rehab = long-term correction
The best outcomes happen when both are combined into a personalized, goal-driven treatment plan.
Our focus is helping you:
- Recover fully
- Move better
- Stay pain-free long-term
Dry needling is an advanced treatment technique performed by a licensed physical
therapist using thin, sterile, single-use filament needles to target:
muscular trigger points
tight bands of tissue
muscle guarding
neuromuscular dysfunction
pain, stiffness, weakness, and movement limitations
Common Conditions Treated
Neck pain
Back pain
Thoracic tightness
Sciatica-related muscular tightness
Shoulder pain
Rotator cuff dysfunction
Headaches and tension headaches
Hip and gluteal pain
Piriformis syndrome
IT band syndrome
Tennis elbow / golfer’s elbow
Hamstring and calf tightness
Plantar fasciitis
Sports injuries
Chronic muscular tension and trigger points
How Dry Needling Works
Reduce muscular tension
Improve blood flow and circulation
Decrease pain and sensitivity
Improve flexibility and mobility
Improve muscle activation patterns
Restore more normal movement and function
Treatment may also produce a brief muscular “twitch response,” which is often associated
with release of tight or dysfunctional tissue.
Integrated Treatment Approach
Corrective exercise
Manual therapy
Stretching and strengthening
Cupping
Augmented soft tissue mobilization
Electrical stimulation when appropriate
Our goal is not simply temporary pain relief, but addressing the underlying muscular and
movement dysfunction contributing to symptoms.
Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture
Dry Needling: Based on modern anatomy, biomechanics, and neuromuscular science.
Focuses on muscular trigger points, tissue dysfunction, pain, and movement impairment.
Acupuncture: Based on traditional Chinese medicine and restoration of energy flow (“Qi”)
through acupuncture meridians.
Dry needling specifically targets dysfunctional muscle and soft tissue structures
contributing to pain and impaired movement.