Dry Needling in Portland, Maine
Targeted dry needling for muscle pain, sports injuries, and chronic tension. Experience fast relief and lasting results.
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling, also known as orthopedic acupuncture and sports acupuncture, is an acupuncture-based approach focused on treating musculoskeletal pain and injury. These terms are used interchangeably and describe the same style of treatment. Dry needling works through the two main functions of enhancing circulation and modulating muscle tone and integrity by needling anatomically specific trigger points (or ahshi points, tender points). A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy found dry needling more effective than no treatment or sham needling for reducing musculoskeletal pain, with documented benefits including pain relief, increased circulation, improved range of motion, reduced muscle tension, and faster recovery from injuries.
Tight, knotted muscle fibers act like rocks and debris in a river, blocking optimal circulation from moving through an area. Lack of good circulation starves the muscles and tendons downstream from optimal nourishment. Chronic muscle tension restricts blood flow to surrounding tissues. Over time, this can worsen conditions like Carpal Tunnel, Raynaud's Syndrome, and Arthritis. Dry needling is highly effective at restoring healthy blood flow, softening muscle tension, and increasing mobility.
Why Dry Needling Is Effective For Sports Injuries
IMPROVE MOBILITY
Flexibility is essential for athletes looking to perform their best and reduce the risk of injury. Dry needling and sports acupuncture release muscle tension, increase circulation, and enhance mobility. Regular sessions support long-term muscle health, balance, agility, and overall athletic performance, keeping you strong, limber, and ready for peak performance.
ENHANCE CIRCULATION
Dry needling and sports acupuncture boosts blood flow to targeted muscles. Increased circulation delivers essential oxygen and nutrients for repairing damaged tissue while also flushing out metabolic waste to speed recovery, prevent soreness, and promote faster post-workout recovery. Regular dry needling treatments can keep your muscles in peak condition.
FASTER INJURY RECOVERY
Muscle strains and injuries are common in high-impact sports like running, tennis, and rock climbing. Dry needling and sports acupuncture promote faster healing by relieving muscle tightness, improving range of motion, enhancing circulation to damaged tissues, and reducing inflammation. Dry needling treatments help athletes get back to training sooner.
INJURY PREVENTION
Optimize your athletic performance and prevent injuries with dry needling and sports acupuncture. By addressing muscle imbalances and relieving tension, dry needling helps reduce the risk of overuse injuries, keeping your muscles strong and resilient. Many athletes use dry needling as part of their regular recovery and maintenance routine to stay performing their best.
EFFECTIVE PAIN RELIEF
Overuse injuries such as tendonitis, heel pain, or runner's knee are common in athletes and active individuals. Dry needling directly targets myofascial trigger points, releasing muscle knots, increasing blood flow, enhancing mobility, and reducing inflammation, to relieve both acute and chronic discomfort.
TAILORED TO YOUR SPORT
Point Acupuncture specializes in dry needling and sports acupuncture to create personalized treatment plans tailored to your sport and specific injuries. Whether you're recovering from a hamstring strain, managing chronic shoulder pain, or looking to optimize muscle function, we target key muscles and trigger points to enhance your performance and accelerate recovery.
Your First Dry Needling Session
Your first session begins with an in-depth medical consultation outlining treatment goals and a treatment plan before delving into acupuncture and bodywork. After discussion, therapeutic massage and palpation (diagnostic touch) may be used to assess further the root and branch cause(s) of injury.
During a dry needling session, needles are inserted directly into myofascial trigger points to unwind tight, knotted muscle fibers and increase blood flow through areas of injury. Dry needling is generally accompanied by therapeutic massage to evaluate underlying tissue and promote blood flow to enhance the effects of acupuncture further.
Dry Needling FAQs
What Our Patients Say
“Hannah did incredible work! I came with expectations about what dry needling could do for my hip pain and she exceeded them by far. I've been pain free since seeing her. She's got great presence and skill. Very knowledgeable.”
— David T.
“I'm very grateful I found Hannah. She's helped me recover from a running injury in only a handful of dry needling sessions. One of the things I appreciate most about my treatments is how Hannah blends therapeutic massage with dry needling. It's very effective!”
— Felix M.
“I am a high level pickleball player. I came to Hannah for dry needling to help my very over used quads to open up. I was blown away by her results along with her knowledge, professionalism and touch. I highly recommend her for sure!!!”
— Trish B.
“Hannah did incredible work! I came with expectations about what dry needling could do for my hip pain and she exceeded them by far. I've been pain free since seeing her. She's got great presence and skill. Very knowledgeable.”
— David T.
Ready to schedule your dry needling session?
Schedule your first session or book a free phone consultation to discuss your treatment options.