What is dry needling?

Dry needling uses a very thin, "dry" needle — one without medication or injection — that is inserted through the skin into areas of the muscle to stimulate myofascial trigger points. This technique helps our team target tissue that can’t be easily massaged and stretched.

What is a trigger point?

A trigger point is a tight band of skeletal muscle within a larger muscle group. When touching a trigger point, it may be tender and can cause other parts of your body to become painful as well. The Performance Lab utilizes dry needling along with physical therapy to alleviate tension in these trigger points and help decrease your pain.

Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?

Though commonly confused with the traditional Chinese practice of acupuncture, dry needling focuses more on stimulating and releasing irritable tissue rather than altering energy flow. Dry needling is backed by evidence-based research and guidelines to address neuromuscular conditions.

Is dry needling safe?

When performed by a trained physical therapist, dry needling is very safe. As part of their entry-level education, physical therapists are well-educated in anatomy and therapeutic treatment of the body. Physical therapists who perform dry needling supplement that knowledge by obtaining specific postgraduate education and training.

Is dry needling painful?

As with any physical therapy treatment, there may be soreness post-session. The thin filiform needle feels nothing like an injection — in fact, most patients can hardly feel it. As the needle releases tension, the muscle may react with a “twitch” response. When the soreness wears off, patients report improved mobility, less pain, and more sound sleep.

What kind of needles are used?

Dry needling involves a thin filiform needle that penetrates the skin and stimulates underlying myofascial trigger points and muscular and connective tissues. The needle allows a physical therapist to target tissues that are not manually palpable.

THE LAB

dry needling

Dry needling is a modern treatment method used by physical therapists that involves the insertion of fine needles into trigger points, or tight bands of muscle tissue, to relieve pain and improve mobility. It is considered an effective form of therapy for pain relief and works well in combination with other forms of physical therapy.

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Benefits of dry needling

relaxes the muscles & boosts blood flow

diminishes inflammation & triggers healing

improves nerve communication

top dry needling treatments in connecticut

west hartford, prospect ct dry needling clinics

Did you know that approximately 80% of the population will experience some type of musculoskeletal problem in their lifetime? Dry needling is a treatment option that can help alleviate pain and improve your mobility. At The Performance Lab, we are proud to offer dry needling services as part of our comprehensive physical therapy treatments. Our experienced therapists use specialized tools to target trigger points that cause pain and restore functionality.

What Is a Dry Needling and Mobility Session?

Dry needling is an effective and non-invasive way to reduce muscle tension, ensure better joint stability, improve range of motion, optimize movement patterns, and ultimately enhance performance. During the procedure a small needle is inserted into the skin to penetrate the underlying muscles. This helps to release tension and reduce pain by increasing the circulation of oxygen-rich blood to the target area, allowing for faster healing.

Benefits of Dry Needling Services

Dry needling has been proven to be one of the most effective treatments for musculoskeletal conditions such as neck and shoulder pain, back pain, sciatica, muscle spasms, tendonitis, and more. Dry needling can also be used to reduce inflammation, increase circulation, and improve mobility. The benefits of dry needling include:

What To Expect When You Visit THE PERFORMANCE LAB

At The Performance Lab, you’ll receive a customized treatment plan specific to your unique needs to restore your wellness. Utilizing our signature treatment that combines the use of dry needling to reduce trigger points, myofascial release to break up adhesions, deep tissue massage to relieve pain, and functional stretching to restore movement, the professionals at The Performance Lab guarantee "You will walk out feeling better than when you walked in." Serving both the greater Prospect and West Hartford, CT communities, our doctorate-level, board certified clinicians have transformed traditional PT, stretching, and massage, creating a new style of therapy that is great at relieving pain from acute injuries, day-to-day stresses, chronic conditions, or soreness due to an active lifestyle. If you experience pain or difficulty moving, our team of board-certified specialists can help you become active again.

Safety Measures We Follow During Dry Needling

To ensure your safety, our expert team at The Performance Lab always wears gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when dry needling, consistent with Standard Precautions, Guide to Infection Prevention for Outpatient Settings, and OSHA standards. The sterile needles are disposed of in a medical sharps collector.

Need Dry Needling? Give The Performance Lab a Call

At The Performance Lab, we are committed to helping you reach your health and wellness goals. We offer dry needling services as part of our comprehensive physical therapy treatments and specialize in providing customized plans specific to the needs of each patient. If you are looking for a dry needling treatment in Prospect or West Hartford CT, give us a call today to schedule an appointment. Our experienced physical therapists are here to help you relieve your pain and restore your mobility!

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For more information about dry needling or to request a consultation, contact one of our two locations or visit our contact page.

Frequently Asked Dry Needling Questions

What is dry needling?

Dry needling uses a very thin, "dry" needle — one without medication or injection — that is inserted through the skin into areas of the muscle to stimulate myofascial trigger points. This technique helps our team target tissue that can’t be easily massaged and stretched.
What is a trigger point?

A trigger point is a tight band of skeletal muscle within a larger muscle group. When touching a trigger point, it may be tender and can cause other parts of your body to become painful as well. The Performance Lab utilizes dry needling along with physical therapy to alleviate tension in these trigger points and help decrease your pain.
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?

Though commonly confused with the traditional Chinese practice of acupuncture, dry needling focuses more on stimulating and releasing irritable tissue rather than altering energy flow. Dry needling is backed by evidence-based research and guidelines to address neuromuscular conditions.
Is dry needling safe?

When performed by a trained physical therapist, dry needling is very safe. As part of their entry-level education, physical therapists are well-educated in anatomy and therapeutic treatment of the body. Physical therapists who perform dry needling supplement that knowledge by obtaining specific postgraduate education and training.
Is dry needling painful?

As with any physical therapy treatment, there may be soreness post-session. The thin filiform needle feels nothing like an injection — in fact, most patients can hardly feel it. As the needle releases tension, the muscle may react with a “twitch” response. When the soreness wears off, patients report improved mobility, less pain, and more sound sleep.
What kind of needles are used?

Dry needling involves a thin filiform needle that penetrates the skin and stimulates underlying myofascial trigger points and muscular and connective tissues. The needle allows a physical therapist to target tissues that are not manually palpable.

Why Choose Us?

At The Performance Lab, we understand that each individual is unique and requires a custom-made treatment plan to achieve their goals. Our team of experienced clinicians are dedicated to providing comprehensive care that is tailored to meet your specific needs.

Highly Trained Therapists

All-Inclusive Wellness Model

Two Convenient Locations

Membership Plans Available

Hear What Our Happy Clients Say

See what our clients are saying about their experience at The Performance Lab. If you'd like to read more reviews, click the button below!

"I was referred to the Performance Lab by two people for muscle tension, headaches, and arthritic pain. I have a membership for monthly massages and didn't think there would be much of a difference between the two but I was so wrong! Becky, Melissa, and Jordan have all treated me and I can’t say enough about how great they are! The treatment has done wonders for my headaches and I can’t imagine going anywhere else now!"

Lauryn D.

Prospect, CT

"Best place for physical therapy for back issues. My daughter missed a whole year of gymnastics due to back issues and we were recommended to the Performance Lab. She went twice a week for the whole year and was able to compete states, regionals and easterns without doing any meets for the entire year. Thank you Jordan for all that you did to help in getting her where she needed to be to compete."

Josie B.

West Hartford, CT

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Having an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan is essential for returning to the activities you love. Requesting a physical therapy consultation at The Performance Lab can determine if your injury can be improved with physical therapy. It can also improve your overall health!

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