Dry Needling at Commonwealth Chiropractic Center of Reston PC

Advanced Relief for Stubborn Pain

Dry needling offers a powerful solution for persistent pain and restricted movement. This specialized therapy targets myofascial trigger points—commonly known as “muscle knots”—as well as muscle spasms, strains, and dysfunctional connective tissue that may be limiting your recovery.
Dr. Ngui-Yen uses dry needling to decrease neurological and musculoskeletal pain while restoring proper joint and soft tissue function. The technique effectively re-educates your neuromuscular system and accelerates the natural healing process. Many patients experience significant relief after just a few sessions, particularly for conditions that have not responded to other treatments.

How Dry Needling Works

During your dry needling session, Dr. Amanda will gently insert very thin, flexible, sterile needles into specific dysfunctional tissues. These fine needles remain in place for 10-15 minutes, serving as precise tools to disrupt and release trigger points and hardened scar tissue. You may experience a small twitch or pulsing sensation during treatment—a positive sign indicating the release of tight tissue.

The needles also activate your body’s natural healing response and increase blood flow to the treated areas, helping to repair damaged soft tissues. This increased circulation brings oxygen and nutrients to accelerate recovery while removing inflammatory substances that contribute to pain.

What to Expect During Treatment

Many patients are initially concerned about discomfort. The ultra-fine needles used in dry needling are significantly thinner than those used for injections or blood draws, creating minimal sensation upon insertion. Dr. Amanda is highly skilled in making the experience as comfortable as possible.
Before beginning, she will thoroughly explain the procedure, answer your questions, and ensure you feel at ease. During treatment, she will continuously monitor your comfort level and adjust her approach accordingly. Most sessions last between 20-30 minutes, including assessment and treatment time.

Conditions That Respond to Dry Needling

Dry needling effectively addresses a wide range of acute and chronic conditions that cause pain and restrict movement. Athletes with sports injuries often benefit from this therapy to speed recovery and restore performance levels. Office workers suffering from repetitive strain injuries, such as those from prolonged sitting or computer use, find relief from persistent neck, shoulder, and back tension.

Dry needling also helps patients recovering from falls or accidents, particularly when lingering pain persists after initial healing. The treatment works well for specific conditions including tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, IT band syndrome, and persistent muscle spasms that have not responded to other therapies.

Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture: Understanding the Difference

While both dry needling and acupuncture use similar fine needles, they represent distinctly different approaches to healing. Dry needling is grounded in Western medicine and targets specific physical trigger points that can be directly palpated and identified as sources of pain. The technique focuses on anatomical structures and neuromuscular function based on current scientific understanding of pain and movement dysfunction.

In contrast, acupuncture stems from Eastern philosophy and traditional Chinese medicine, focusing on energy channels (meridians) throughout the body. Acupuncture points are not necessarily located at the site of pain and work within a different conceptual framework. Understanding this distinction helps patients make informed choices about their care option.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Contact our Reston office to learn if dry needling might be the solution for your persistent pain or movement limitations. Dr. Ngui-Yen will evaluate your condition and develop a personalized treatment approach.