Dry Needling
Physical Therapy in Denver
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a physical therapy treatment used to reduce pain, improve movement, and help muscles relax. During treatment, a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy inserts a very thin, sterile needle into areas of muscle tightness called trigger points. This can help decrease muscle tension, improve blood flow, reduce pain, and restore normal movement.
Despite the name, nothing is injected into the body. The needle itself creates a therapeutic response within the muscle and nervous system.
At Sage Physical Therapy in Denver, dry needling is often (not always!) part of a comprehensive treatment plan. We combine it with hands-on manual therapy, individualized exercise, movement retraining, and education so you achieve lasting results - not just temporary pain relief.
How Dry Needling Works
When muscles become irritated, overworked, or injured, they can develop painful trigger points that limit movement and contribute to ongoing pain. Dry needling helps by:
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Reducing muscle tension
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Improving circulation
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Decreasing pain sensitivity
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Improving joint mobility
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Restoring normal muscle function
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Helping muscles activate more efficiently
Many patients notice improved movement immediately after treatment, although lasting improvement comes from pairing dry needling with corrective exercises and physical therapy.
Conditions We Treat With Dry Needling
Dry needling is a versatile treatment that can be used for many musculoskeletal conditions when muscle tension, trigger points, or movement dysfunction are contributing to pain. At Sage Physical Therapy, dry needling is always combined with a comprehensive physical therapy evaluation to determine whether it's the right treatment for your specific diagnosis and goals.
While dry needling can provide meaningful pain relief, our focus is always on addressing the underlying cause of your symptoms so you can move better and stay active long-term.
Pregnancy & Postpartum Pain
Many people experience muscle pain during pregnancy and after childbirth due to changing posture, joint mobility, and increased physical demands. When appropriate, dry needling can be one tool to help reduce muscle tension and improve movement during recovery.
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Low back pain
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Hip pain
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SI joint pain
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Rib pain
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Glute pain
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Neck and shoulder tension from feeding or carrying a baby
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Many pelvic floor conditions involve more than just the pelvic floor muscles themselves. Tightness in the hips, abdomen, low back, glutes, and inner thighs can all contribute to pelvic pain and dysfunction.
Because the body functions as an interconnected system, treating these surrounding muscles can often improve symptoms while allowing the pelvic floor to function more normally.
Dry needling may be incorporated into treatment for:
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Chronic pelvic pain
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Pain with intercourse
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Tailbone pain
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Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain
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Postpartum recovery
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Hip pain associated with pelvic floor dysfunction
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Low back pain related to pelvic floor dysfunction
At Sage Physical Therapy, we evaluate the entire movement system to determine whether dry needling is appropriate. It is always combined with individualized pelvic floor physical therapy, manual therapy, exercise, and education to address the root cause of your symptoms rather than simply masking pain.
Chronic Muscle Pain
Some muscles remain tight and sensitive long after an injury has healed. These persistent trigger points can continue sending pain signals even when there is no ongoing tissue damage.
Dry needling may help "reset" these overactive muscles, making it easier to move, exercise, and participate fully in your rehabilitation program.
If you've been living with persistent muscle pain that hasn't improved with stretching, massage, or rest, dry needling may be one treatment option within a comprehensive physical therapy plan.
Headaches & Jaw Pain
Muscle trigger points in the neck, shoulders, and jaw can contribute to headaches and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Dry needling may help reduce muscle tension that contributes to recurring headaches and jaw discomfort.
Patients often seek treatment for:
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Tension headaches
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Cervicogenic headaches
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TMJ pain
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Jaw tightness
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Teeth grinding (bruxism)
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Facial muscle tension
Hip, Back & Abdominal Pain
The hip is surrounded by several powerful muscles that can become tight, irritated, or overworked. Trigger points in the glutes, hip flexors, piriformis, or deep hip rotators can contribute to pain in the hip, buttock, groin, or even down the leg.
Dry needling may be beneficial for:
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Hip impingement
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Piriformis syndrome
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Gluteal tendinopathy
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Hip flexor tightness
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Greater trochanteric pain syndrome
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Pain with walking, hiking, or running
Low Back Pain
Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek physical therapy. Whether your pain started after lifting something heavy or has gradually developed over months or years, tight muscles often contribute to ongoing discomfort.
Dry needling may help reduce muscle guarding in the low back, hips, and surrounding muscles while improving mobility and making exercise more comfortable.
We commonly use dry needling for:
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Acute low back pain
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Chronic low back pain
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Muscle spasms
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Lumbar stiffness
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Pain with bending or lifting
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Mechanical low back pain
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you don't have to wait until they become severe to seek care. Early treatment can help reduce pain, improve function, and support your overall quality of life.
Dry Needling for Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Many people are surprised to learn that dry needling can be an effective treatment alongside pelvic floor physical therapy.
Pain is rarely caused by just one muscle. The hips, abdomen, back, diaphragm, glutes, and pelvic floor all work together. Tightness or dysfunction in one area often contributes to pain somewhere else.
At Sage Physical Therapy, we evaluate the entire movement system - not just the area where symptoms occur. When appropriate, dry needling may be used alongside pelvic floor treatment to reduce muscle guarding, improve mobility, and help patients move more comfortably.
This whole-body approach is especially helpful for people experiencing:
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Pregnancy-related pelvic pain
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Postpartum pain
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Tailbone pain
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Hip pain
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Pain with exercise
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Chronic pelvic pain
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SI joint pain
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Low back pain
Does Dry Needling Hurt?
Most patients tolerate dry needling very well.
You may feel:
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A quick pinch as the needle enters the skin
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A brief muscle twitch
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Mild soreness afterward (similar to a workout)
Most soreness resolves within 24–48 hours.
Our physical therapists explain each step before treatment and only perform dry needling with your consent.
Is Dry Needling Safe?
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Yes. Dry needling is considered very safe when performed by a licensed physical therapist who has completed specialized training.
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At Sage Physical Therapy:
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We use single-use sterile needles.
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Every provider has advanced dry needling training.
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Treatment is customized to your condition.
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Your therapist discusses risks and obtains your consent before treatment.
Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture
Although both treatments use thin needles, they are based on different philosophies.
Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and focuses on restoring the flow of energy throughout the body.
Dry needling is based on modern anatomy, neuroscience, and movement science. Physical therapists use dry needling to target specific muscles, trigger points, tendons, and movement dysfunction identified during a physical therapy evaluation.
Why We Don't Use Dry Needling Alone
Dry needling can reduce pain, but pain relief is only one part of recovery.
Our goal is to help you move better, stay active, and prevent symptoms from returning.
That's why we combine dry needling with:
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Manual therapy
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Strengthening exercises
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Mobility work
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Movement retraining
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Home exercise programs
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Education
This comprehensive approach creates longer-lasting results than passive treatments alone.
Why Choose Sage Physical Therapy for Dry Needling?
Frequently asked questions
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People choose Sage Physical Therapy because they are looking for:
At Sage Physical Therapy, dry needling is never a one-size-fits-all treatment.
Every session is performed by a Doctor of Physical Therapy during a one-on-one, 55-minute appointment. We take time to understand why your pain developed and build a personalized treatment plan based on your goals.
Patients come to us throughout the Denver area for expert treatment of orthopedic injuries, pelvic floor dysfunction, pregnancy and postpartum recovery, sports injuries, and chronic pain.
Whether you're dealing with persistent neck pain, low back pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, or pelvic floor dysfunction, we'll help you understand the root cause of your symptoms - not just temporarily quiet them.
Take the Next Step Toward Feeling Better
If you're looking for dry needling in Denver, our Doctors of Physical Therapy can help determine whether it's the right treatment for your condition. Every evaluation includes a thorough assessment, clear explanation of your diagnosis, and a personalized treatment plan designed to help you move with less pain and greater confidence.
Reviewed by Dr. Katherine Koch, PT, DPT
Owner, Sage Physical Therapy | Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist | Featured Speaker for the Colorado Chapters of ACOG and AASECT | Interviewed by Backpacker Magazine
Published July 2025