Specially trained
Alison is specially trained in dry needling and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
Treated by
Alison Fuhrman
PT, DPT, CMPT, OCS
Alison is specially trained in dry needling, in addition to instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and her manual therapy and orthopedic certifications.
Most people arrive with one question, so here it is answered first: the needle is very thin, nothing is injected, and it is not acupuncture. It is placed directly into a tight band of muscle to help it let go.
Dry needling is almost never used on its own. It is one part of a plan that also includes hands-on work and exercises you do between visits.
Dry needling is performed using strict safety precautions, including clean gloves, a new sterile needle for each treatment, and skin preparation with rubbing alcohol. Treatment avoids the lung field to reduce risks such as pneumothorax (puncturing the lung).
The needle sensation is usually described as a small tap or slight pinch. The muscle may twitch when the needle reaches a tight area of muscle, but this response is not required for treatment to be successful. Electrical stimulation (similar to a TENS unit) may also be used to help the muscle relax and return to normal function.
A consent form is completed before your first session. Alison will tell you in advance if dry needling is likely to be part of your plan. Dry Needling Consent Form
What dry needling is often used for
- Muscle tightness that keeps coming back
- Trigger points or “knots”
- Pain that limits movement
- Stiffness that makes strengthening harder
- Neck, shoulder, back, hip, or leg discomfort
What it is not
- A cure-all
- The only thing you need
- Something we do without explaining it first
At Connect Physical Therapy, dry needling is one possible tool inside a bigger plan: calm things down, improve movement, build strength, and help you get back to everyday life.
How it fits
Dry needling can be used in more places than many people realize
Depending on your symptoms and evaluation, a physical therapist may consider it for areas such as the neck, shoulders, back, hips, glutes or legs.
The purpose is not simply to “put a needle where it hurts.” Dry needling may be used to address sensitive or tight areas in the muscle as one part of a larger treatment plan.
- Guided movement
- Mobility work
- Strengthening
- A gradual return to normal activity
Some people experience short-term pain relief or improved movement after treatment, but dry needling is not automatically appropriate for every person or every condition. The first step is figuring out what is contributing to the discomfort, and whether dry needling makes sense for you.
Research suggests dry needling may help reduce pain in the short term, especially when used as part of a full physical therapy plan rather than as a standalone quick fix. Specific study figures used in the practice's social posts need a citation before they appear here.
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