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Dry Needling

A Precise, Effective Technique for Muscle Pain, Tightness, and Restricted Movement

Dry Needling — Relief That Goes Straight to the Source

Acupuncture needles being insertedDealing with a stubborn knot, a muscle that won’t release, or pain that’s been holding you back? Dry needling is a proven, hands-on technique that targets the source of muscle pain and tension directly — and it can bring relief when other approaches haven’t.

At HARTZ Physical Therapy, dry needling is performed by our specially trained, certified physical therapist as part of your overall care. Using thin, sterile filament needles, your therapist targets trigger points — those tight, irritable bands of muscle that cause pain and limit movement — to help release tension, reduce pain, and restore normal function. It’s a powerful complement to the strengthening, manual therapy, and movement work that gets you back to feeling like yourself.

What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling involves inserting a thin, single use sterile needle into a trigger point or tight band of muscle to prompt a healing response. These trigger points are part of what’s known as myofascial pain — pain arising from the muscle and its surrounding connective tissue (fascia). By targeting them directly, the needle helps the muscle release, improves blood flow to the area, and calms the pain signals that keep you stuck. The needle stimulates the muscle, helping it release, improving blood flow to the area, and calming the pain signals that keep you stuck. The term “dry” simply means nothing is injected — it’s the needle itself, precisely placed, that does the work.

It’s often confused with acupuncture, but the two are different. Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and works with energy meridians. Dry needling is based on modern Western anatomy and neuroscience, targeting specific muscles and trigger points to relieve pain and improve movement.

 

Our Services

Dry needling works best as part of a bigger plan, not a standalone fix. Your therapist combines it with the strengthening, mobility, and hands-on work that addresses why the pain developed in the first place — so you get relief that lasts, not just temporary release.

  • Neck & back pain
  • Muscle tightness & spasms
  • Myofascial pain & trigger points “knots”
  • Sports & overuse injuries
  • Headaches & jaw tension
  • Shoulder, hip & knee pain
  • Restricted range of motion
  • Chronic or persistent muscle pain

What to Expect

First, the setting: dry needling is done in a private treatment room — never out in the open gym — with appropriate draping so you’re comfortable and your privacy is respected the whole time.

Your therapist will start by evaluating your muscles and movement to pinpoint the trigger points contributing to your pain. Here’s a little secret most patients discover: the hands-on assessment to find those tender spots is often the part you feel most — the needles themselves tend to be preferred by comparison. When a needle reaches a trigger point, you may feel a quick twitch or cramping sensation as the muscle releases, which is completely normal and a good sign it’s working.

Honestly, the anticipation is usually worse than the reality. As our therapist hears all the time: “Oh — that was nothing like I expected!” There’s a lot more expectation-pain than actual pain. Sessions are quick, many patients feel looser within a visit or two, and any mild soreness afterward feels like a good workout and fades within a day or so.

Pricing & Self-Pay

Please note: dry needling is not currently covered by insurance in Pennsylvania, so it’s offered on a self-pay basis. We keep our pricing simple and transparent:

Initial 60-minute session: $150.00
45-minute follow-up session: $125.00

Payment is due at the time of service. We accept cash or check

No referral or insurance approval is needed — just call to book.

Where We Offer Dry Needling

Dry needling is currently available at our Lititz office, performed by our certified therapist Justin Seekins. DPT, Cert. DN

Smiling man in front of trees.Justin Seekins, DPT, Cert. DN
717.625.2228
jseekins@hartzpt.com

Justin is a certified dry needling provider who has completed advanced training in trigger point therapy. He combines dry needling with hands-on care and targeted exercise to help patients find lasting relief from stubborn muscle pain.  He has been treating patients with dry needling for 7+ years.

 

Frequently Asked Questions


Does dry needling hurt?

Most patients feel little to nothing when the thin needle is inserted. When it reaches a trigger point, you may feel a brief twitch or cramping sensation as the muscle releases — that response is normal and a sign the treatment is working. Additional techniques may incur more or less pain depending on the type of injury we are treating. Soreness afterwards is common. Any soreness afterward is usually mild, similar to how you’d feel after a good workout, and fades within a day or so.

Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?

No. While both use thin needles, they’re based on completely different approaches. Acupuncture comes from traditional Chinese medicine and works with energy meridians. Dry needling is based on modern Western anatomy and neuroscience, targeting specific muscles and trigger points to relieve pain and restore movement.

Can dry needling help with myofascial pain?

Yes — myofascial pain is one of the most common reasons people seek out dry needling. Myofascial pain comes from trigger points in the muscle and its surrounding fascia, and dry needling targets those points directly to release tension and relieve pain. It’s often especially helpful for the kind of stubborn, aching muscle pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments.

Why isn't dry needling covered by insurance?

In Pennsylvania, insurance does not currently cover dry needling, so we offer it on a transparent self-pay basis. No referral or insurance approval is needed — you can simply call and book. Many patients find the results well worth it, especially for stubborn pain that hasn’t responded to other approaches.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on your specific issue and how your body responds, but many patients notice improvement within one to a few sessions. Your therapist will give you a realistic sense of your plan after evaluating you, and dry needling is often most effective when combined with your other physical therapy.

Is dry needling safe?

Yes. When performed by a certified, trained physical therapist, dry needling is very safe. We use thin, sterile, single-use needles and follow strict safety protocols. Your therapist will review your health history first to make sure it’s an appropriate treatment for you.

Who performs dry needling at HARTZ?

Dry needling is performed only by our specially trained, certified physical therapists, at select locations. Give us a call and we’ll help you schedule with the right provider at a convenient location.