What to Expect During Your First Dry Needling Appointment
- Dr. Gina Croft, PT, DPT
- 15 minutes ago
- 2 min read
If you’ve been dealing with stubborn pain or tight muscles, you may have heard about dry needling as a treatment option. For many people, the idea of thin needles being used in therapy can sound intimidating at first. At Next Level PT in Avon, we help clients understand exactly what to expect—so you can walk into your first appointment feeling informed, comfortable, and confident.
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a skilled therapy technique that uses very thin, sterile needles inserted into trigger points or tight bands of muscle. Unlike acupuncture, which is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, dry needling is based on modern anatomical and neurological science. Its primary goal is to release tension, restore mobility, and decrease pain by improving how muscles and nerves communicate.
What Happens at Your First Appointment?
When you come in for dry needling at Next Level PT, your visit begins with a full assessment.
Your therapist will:
Review your health history and current symptoms
Identify movement limitations and areas of muscle dysfunction
Explain how dry needling fits into your overall rehab or performance plan This ensures the treatment is tailored to your specific needs—whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or trying to improve performance.
The Needling Process Step by Step
Once the assessment is complete, here’s what typically happens:
Preparation: The therapist cleans the treatment area and explains where the needles will go.
Insertion: A thin, single-use needle is gently inserted into the targeted muscle.
Muscle Response: You may feel a twitch or deep ache—this is a normal response and often signals the release of tension.
Release and Reset: The needle is left in place briefly or manipulated gently to encourage relaxation and improved blood flow.
Removal and Recovery: The needle is removed, and the therapist may follow with movement or stretching to reinforce the release.
Sessions are generally quick, and most people describe the discomfort as minimal compared to the relief they feel afterward.
Does Dry Needling Hurt?
It’s common to wonder about pain with this treatment. While you may feel a quick pinch during insertion and some muscle soreness afterward, most clients report the experience as far less intense than they imagined. The soreness typically feels like a workout muscle ache and resolves within a day or two. Many people notice immediate improvements in mobility and reduced pain following treatment.
Benefits of Dry Needling
Dry needling can be an effective part of your care plan because it:
Decreases muscle tension and spasm
Improves range of motion
Reduces pain from trigger points and tight tissue
Speeds recovery alongside physical therapy exercises
Enhances performance by restoring proper muscle activation
When paired with strength training, mobility work, and corrective exercise, it accelerates progress toward your goals.
Your First Step Toward Relief
Your first dry needling session doesn’t need to be intimidating. At Next Level PT in Avon, we guide you through the process with education and care so you know exactly what to expect. Whether you’re managing chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or simply looking to move better, dry needling can be a powerful tool in your recovery and performance journey.
