Dry Needling Therapy in St. Peter, MN

What Is Dry Needling Therapy?

Dry needling is a treatment used to address muscle pain and movement problems caused by areas of muscle tension known as trigger points. These sensitive areas can develop from injury, overuse, or repetitive strain and may contribute to pain, stiffness, or limited movement.

During treatment, a thin sterile needle is placed into targeted muscle tissue to help reduce tension, improve blood flow, and restore normal muscle function. Dry needling is commonly used as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan focused on improving movement and long-term function.

At Rising Sun Chiropractic + Weight Loss, dry needling is integrated with movement assessment and rehabilitation strategies to support lasting improvement rather than temporary relief.

Conditions Dry Needling May Help

Dry needling is commonly used for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions involving muscle tension or movement dysfunction.

Treatment may help with:

• chronic muscle tension or tightness
• back pain
• neck pain and headaches
• shoulder pain and rotator cuff problems
• hip pain
• sciatic pain and radiating leg pain
• repetitive strain injuries
• movement limitations
• muscle spasms
• myofascial pain

Dry needling may also support recovery when combined with rehabilitation exercise and manual therapy.

How Dry Needling Works

Muscles can develop areas of increased tension called trigger points. These areas may cause pain locally or refer pain to other parts of the body. Trigger points can also reduce muscle function and limit normal movement.

Dry needling helps:

• reduce muscle tension
• improve circulation
• decrease sensitivity in irritated tissue
• restore normal muscle activation
• improve range of motion

By addressing these underlying factors, treatment helps improve how muscles tolerate activity and daily movement.

Who May Benefit From Dry Needling

Dry needling may be appropriate for individuals who experience:

• persistent muscle tightness

• restricted movement or stiffness

• chronic or recurring muscle pain

• slow recovery from injury

• sports-related muscle strain

• work-related muscle tension

• activity limitations caused by muscle dysfunction

Treatment recommendations are based on a clinical evaluation and individual goals.

When Dry Needling May Not Be Appropriate

Dry needling is not appropriate for everyone. A full evaluation is performed to determine safety and suitability.

Treatment may not be recommended for individuals with:

• certain bleeding disorders

• infection in the treatment area

• inability to tolerate needle procedures

• uncontrolled medical conditions that require medical clearance

If dry needling is not appropriate, alternative treatment options will be discussed.

What to Expect During Treatment

Your first visit includes a determination of whether dry needling is appropriate for your condition. If recommended, treatment involves placement of a thin sterile needle into targeted muscle tissue.

Some patients experience a brief muscle twitch response or temporary soreness following treatment. Mild soreness may last 24–48 hours and typically resolves quickly.

Treatment frequency depends on your condition, goals, and response to care. Dry needling is often combined with exercise or other therapies to support long-term improvement.

Benefits of Dry Needling Therapy

Dry needling is designed to improve how muscles function and tolerate activity.

Potential benefits include:

• reduced muscle pain

• improved mobility

• decreased muscle tension

• improved movement quality

• faster recovery from injury

• improved activity tolerance

• reduced recurrence of symptoms

The goal is to restore normal movement and support long-term function.

Integrated Musculoskeletal Care at Rising Sun Chiropractic + Weight Loss

Dry needling is often combined with other evidence-based treatments to improve outcomes. Your care plan may include:

• chiropractic adjustments and joint mobilization

• therapeutic exercise and movement rehabilitation

• soft tissue therapy

• spinal decompression therapy when appropriate

• deep tissue laser therapy when appropriate

This integrated approach focuses on identifying the factors contributing to pain and improving overall function.

Why Patients Choose Rising Sun Chiropractic + Weight Loss

• Rehabilitation-focused treatment model
• Individualized care plans
• Integrated MSK treatment approach
• Conservative non-surgical care
• Functional movement assessment

Dry Needling Therapy FAQ

Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?

No. Dry needling targets musculoskeletal trigger points and movement dysfunction, while acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine principles.

Is dry needling painful?

Most patients experience minimal discomfort. Temporary soreness after treatment is common and usually resolves quickly.

Is dry needling safe?

Dry needling is safe when performed by trained providers following proper clinical protocols.

How many treatments are needed?

Treatment frequency varies depending on the condition and individual response.

How quickly does dry needling work?

Some patients notice improvement within a few visits, while others require a longer course of care.

What conditions respond best to dry needling?

Dry needling is most effective for muscle tension, trigger points, and movement-related pain conditions.

Is dry needling covered by insurance?

Insurance coverage for dry needling varies depending on the insurance provider and individual plan. Some plans may cover dry needling when it is part of a broader treatment plan for musculoskeletal pain, while others may not include it as a covered service.

Because coverage policies differ, we recommend checking with your insurance provider or contacting our office for guidance before treatment. During your evaluation, we can review your options and explain any potential out-of-pocket costs.

What is the difference between dry needling and trigger point therapy?

Trigger point therapy is a broad term that describes treatments used to reduce muscle tension in sensitive areas of muscle tissue called trigger points. This can include hands-on techniques such as manual pressure, massage, or instrument-assisted treatment.

Dry needling is one specific form of trigger point therapy that uses a thin sterile needle to target areas of muscle dysfunction. The goal is to reduce muscle tension, improve movement, and restore normal muscle function. Both approaches aim to address muscle pain and movement limitations, but dry needling uses a different method to achieve similar treatment goals.

Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?

No. Dry needling and acupuncture both use thin needles, but they are based on different treatment approaches and goals.

Dry needling is based on modern musculoskeletal and rehabilitation principles. It focuses on treating muscle dysfunction, trigger points, and movement limitations to improve function and reduce pain.

Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine and is intended to influence energy pathways in the body. While the tools may appear similar, the evaluation process, treatment targets, and clinical purpose are different.

How long do dry needling results last?

The duration of results varies depending on the condition being treated, the severity of symptoms, and how the underlying movement or muscle dysfunction is addressed.

Some patients notice short-term relief after a single session, while longer-lasting improvement typically occurs when dry needling is combined with rehabilitation exercises and movement-based care. Treatment plans are designed to improve muscle function and reduce the likelihood of recurring symptoms over time.

Dry Needling Therapy Serving St Peter and Surrounding Communities

Rising Sun Chiropractic + Weight Loss provides dry needling therapy for patients in:

• St Peter MN
• Mankato MN
• North Mankato MN
• Kasota MN
• New Ulm MN
• Le Sueur MN
• Nicollet MN

Schedule a Dry Needling Evaluation

If you are experiencing muscle pain, tightness, or movement limitations, schedule an evaluation to determine whether dry needling is appropriate for your condition.