Patients experiencing pain, muscle guarding, movement dysfunction, and compensatory muscle function often find relief with dry needling. Dry Needling involves advancing a filament needle into the muscle in the region of a "Trigger Point' or to the injured regions. The aim of Dry Needling is to achieve a local twitch response to release muscle tension, improve pain, increase appropriate muscular activation and improve flexibility as well as create a pathway for increased circulation, and to promote healing. Dry needling is an effective treatment for acute and chronic pain with very few side effects. The most common side effects include minor bruising, mild bleeding, and muscle soreness. Your provider will discuss indications and contraindications with you further to determine if dry needling is right for you.