Dry Needling: What It Is and Why It Works

If you train hard, sit too much, or deal with nagging aches that just won’t quit, you’ve probably heard someone mention dry needling. Maybe your friend swears it “released” their shoulder. Maybe you’ve seen athletes post about it after a tough workout.

At Ascension Rehab and Sports Therapy in Charlotte, we use dry needling as one of several tools to help people move better, recover faster, and get out of pain — but it’s not magic, and it’s not the whole solution either. Here’s what’s actually going on when those needles go in.

What Dry Needling Actually Does

Dry needling uses a thin, sterile filament needle inserted into specific points within the muscle — often called trigger points or motor points. The goal isn’t to “break up scar tissue” or “flush out toxins” (common myths you’ll hear online).

Instead, dry needling helps your nervous system reset how a muscle is behaving. When a muscle is guarding, overactive, or stuck in a tension pattern, needling can calm that overactivity and restore normal communication between your brain and body.

That’s why you might feel a twitch or a deep ache during treatment — your nervous system is essentially recalibrating that area.

Why We Use It

We use dry needling at Ascension Rehab and Sports Therapy here in Charlotte to help with things like:

• Persistent muscle tightness or tension that doesn’t respond to stretching

• Localized pain from overuse or training

• Headaches and neck tension

• Shoulder, hip, or low back pain

• Post-injury movement restriction

Dry needling works best as part of a comprehensive rehab plan — not as a stand-alone quick fix. We often pair it with specific strength or mobility work right after to “lock in” the improvement.

How It Feels

Most people describe the sensation as a quick twitch or pressure — not the same as getting a shot or acupuncture. You might feel sore for a day or two after, similar to a workout, but that soreness is usually followed by noticeable relief or ease of movement.

We always start with a conversation about what you’re feeling, what you’ve tried, and where you want to get back to — whether that’s lifting, running, or just sitting at your desk without pain.

Who It’s For

Dry needling can be helpful for:

• Active adults dealing with stubborn tightness or overuse pain

• Runners, lifters, and CrossFit athletes looking to stay consistent in training

• Anyone recovering from injury who feels like they’ve “hit a wall” in progress

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If you live or train in Charlotte, Fort Mill, Ballantyne, and the surrounding area and you’ve been stuck in a cycle of muscle tension and temporary fixes, dry needling might be worth exploring.

The Bottom Line

Dry needling isn’t about “fixing” your muscle — it’s about giving your body the reset it needs so you can move the way you’re meant to.

At Ascension Rehab and Sports Therapy, we use it strategically — not as a gimmick, but as part of a bigger plan to help you perform, recover, and stay pain-free long term.

If you’re curious about dry needling, and you live in the Charlotte, NC area, or want to know whether it fits your situation, schedule a rehab strategy call and let’s talk through your goals.