Dry Needling

Harsh medicines and invasive procedures aren’t always the best treatments for pain and injury. At Total Acupuncture and Physical Therapy in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, Jason Sargis, LAc, and Christine Marcarian, LAc, offer holistic dry needling to improve blood flow and stimulate natural healing. Call the office to learn more, or use the online booking tab today.

What is dry needling?

Dry needling is a treatment used for pain relief and movement disorders associated with myofascial trigger points. Trigger points are tense, knotted tissues that develop in your muscles and other soft tissues. The technique inserts thin needles into tight trigger points to stimulate muscle responses and natural pain reduction. 

Dry needling works to draw normal blood supply back to painful or tense tissues. It stimulates your brain to release natural pain-reducing endorphins and triggers your body’s natural healing mechanisms.

What are the benefits of dry needling?

You can expect the following benefits after undergoing dry needling:

• Less pain
• Faster healing 
• Reduced muscle tension
• Diminished trigger points
• Improved musculoskeletal function
• Enhanced blood flow 
• Better quality of life

Dry needling can reduce the need for harmful pain medicine or invasive surgery, and there’s no downtime needed after your treatment. 

Is dry needling right for me?

Your provider discusses your symptoms and medical history to determine if dry needling is right for you. They also complete a physical exam to detect tight trigger points or additional tissue irregularities that may contribute to pain. 

You might also need blood testing, imaging procedures, or additional diagnostic tests. 

What happens during dry needling?

During dry needling treatment at Total Acupuncture and Physical Therapy, you rest comfortably. Your provider cleans the treatment areas before inserting one-time-use, sterile needles into targeted tissues while you relax. 

They may move the needles slightly during treatment to produce specific tissue responses. Each treatment lasts 15-30 minutes, depending on your unique needs. Then, your specialist removes the needles. 

What should I expect after my treatment?

You might feel better immediately after dry needling treatment, with additional improvements appearing during the next few days. You might develop temporary muscle soreness or mild bruising. Your provider lets you know when to schedule your next session. 

In addition to dry needling, Total Acupuncture and Physical Therapy also offers

• Physical therapy
• Trigger point therapy 
• Sports medicine acupuncture (TM) by certified sports medical acupuncturists
• Microneedling
• Facial rejuvenation 
• Craniosacral therapy
• Tui Na massage
• Scalp acupuncture
• Neural manipulation
• Myofascial release
• Sports massage
• Lymphatic massage
• Deep tissue massage 
• Neuromuscular reeducation 
• Celluma LED light therapy 
• Charlotte's Web™ CBD
• Acupuncture 
• Cupping

The team tailors each treatment to your needs and follows up with you to ensure effective results.

Call the Total Acupuncture and Physical Therapy office or use the online booking tab today to learn more about dry needling.