Home›Services›Dry Needling
Tight, knotted muscles that will not let go? Dry needling can help.
A thin needle helps a tight, guarded muscle let go, so pain calms down and you can move and get strong again.
- Performed by licensed physical therapists
- Paired with hands on care and strength work
- Most people feel looser the same day
- No referral needed
- Most of our clients use their insurance for reimbursement
Dry needling in Shirley, MA
Dry needling for tight muscles and pain that keeps coming back.
Whole Health Solutions offers dry needling at our physical therapy clinic at 2 Shaker Road in Shirley, MA, for people from Shirley, Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Lunenburg and nearby towns.
Dry needling is one tool your physical therapist can use when a muscle is stuck in a tight, painful knot. We never use it on its own. It is always paired with hands on treatment and the strength work that keeps the problem from coming back.
Sound familiar?
You have stretched it, rolled it and rubbed it. It is still tight.
Some knots will not let go on their own.
- A knot between your shoulder blades that never leaves.
- Neck tightness that turns into headaches.
- Hips and hamstrings that feel tight no matter how much you stretch.
- Low back muscles that lock up after a long day.
- Massage helps for a day, then it comes right back.
Dry needling reaches the tight spot directly and helps the muscle reset. Then your physical therapist uses that window to strengthen it, so it stays calm.
Release the knot. Then rebuild the muscle so it stays that way.
What it feels like
What to expect from dry needling.
No mystery. Here is what actually happens.
"Appointments consisted of Dry Needling, tissue work, and strength building exercises." Seamus D.
- 1
Find the source
Your physical therapist checks how you move and finds the muscles that are tight, tender and driving your pain.
- 2
Quick, thin needle
A very thin, sterile needle goes into the tight spot. Most people barely feel it go in.
- 3
A twitch, then relief
You may feel a quick twitch or a dull ache as the muscle lets go. It passes quickly.
- 4
Move and strengthen
Right after, you move and strengthen the area while it is loose, so the change sticks.
Where it helps
Common places we use dry needling.
Your physical therapist decides where dry needling fits, based on what they find.
Neck, shoulders and upper back
For stiff necks, knots between the shoulder blades and tension that climbs into headaches.
Helps with
Low back, hips and legs
For low back muscles that lock up, tight hips and glutes, and hamstrings, quads and calves that never loosen.
Helps with
Elbows, forearms and sports injuries
For overworked forearms, tennis and golfer's elbow, and muscle strains from sport, work or lifting.
Helps with
Why people choose us
Dry needling as part of a real plan.
Needling can calm a muscle down fast. A plan is what keeps it from tightening back up.
Done by physical therapists
Your dry needling is performed by a licensed physical therapist trained in the technique.
Part of a real plan
It is paired with hands on care and strength work so your results last.
Only when it fits
If dry needling is not right for you, we will tell you and use something that is.
One on one, start to finish
Your physical therapist is with you for your whole appointment.
How it works
From tight to strong, and staying that way.
Dry needling is one piece of a simple plan.
01
Relieve
Dry needling and hands on care calm the tight, painful muscle so you can move again.
02
Rebuild
Strength and movement work retrain the muscle so it stops tightening back up.
03
Perform
Get back to work, sport and life without that familiar knot holding you back.
04
Thrive
Keep the knots from coming back with training and check ins from the same team, and a quick visit if something flares up.
Thrive is not a finish line. When you are ready for your next goal, the same team that got you here is ready too.
Your physical therapist
Meet our dry needling physical therapists.
Licensed physical therapists trained in dry needling.
Real clients, real results
What our clients say about dry needling.
★★★★★ 202 Google reviews, 5.0 rating
★★★★★
I came to Whole Health Solutions & Sports Performance with shoulder tendinitis that had been bothering me for quite a while. After working with their team for about four months, I've experienced a major improvement.
Dipon D.Shoulder tendinitis
★★★★★
I came to WHS with a 4 months old riding related injury I had been trying to ignore, hoping it was going to get better on its own. After a few short months working with Jianna the injury was resolved using targeted exercises, massage and dry needling.
Simone C.Riding injury
★★★★★
Whole Health Solutions did a phenomenal job of helping me recover from an ankle sprain. I did multiple sessions with Jianna and Gary. They completely took care of me and assisted/quickened my recovery process. Appointments consisted of Dry Needling, tissue work, and strength building exercises.
Seamus D.Ankle sprain
Learn from our team
Quick answers on video
Short videos from our clinicians on the questions we hear most. Free to watch, no sign up.
Questions
Dry needling questions, answered.
What people ask before trying it.
What is dry needling?
Dry needling uses a very thin, solid needle placed into a tight, tender muscle. It helps the muscle relax, which can ease pain and make it easier to move and strengthen.
Does dry needling hurt?
Most people barely feel the needle go in. You may feel a quick twitch or a dull ache as the muscle releases, then relief. Some soreness for a day is normal.
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
No. They use similar needles, but dry needling is based on anatomy and targets tight muscles that are causing pain. It is done by our physical therapists as part of your treatment.
What does dry needling help with?
Common reasons include neck and shoulder pain, tension headaches, low back pain, tight hips and hamstrings, elbow pain and muscle strains.
Who performs dry needling at WHS?
Our physical therapists who are trained in dry needling. Your physical therapist decides if it fits your plan.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly with us. If dry needling is not the right tool for you, we will tell you and use something that is.
Can I use my insurance?
Most of our clients do use their insurance for reimbursement of our physical therapy services. We go over everything in the discovery meeting.
What should I wear?
Loose clothes that let us reach the area, like shorts for legs and hips or a tank top for the neck and shoulders.
What towns do your dry needling clients come from?
Our clinic is at 2 Shaker Road, Suite C200, Shirley, MA 01464. Clients come from Shirley, Ayer, Devens, Harvard, Lunenburg, Lancaster, Groton, Leominster, Bolton, Boxborough, Littleton, Townsend, Fitchburg, Pepperell, Clinton, Sterling, Stow, Westford, Berlin, Acton, Dunstable and Hudson, and plenty of clients drive in from farther away. Wherever you live, you are welcome here.
Ready when you are
Tell us where it is tight and what it is stopping.
- Pick a time. It takes about a minute.
- Meet with us your way. Come in to the clinic (what most clients choose), or meet by video or phone.
- Get an honest answer. We tell you if dry needling makes sense for you, what the full plan would look like, and what it costs.
- Address2 Shaker Road, Suite C200, Shirley, MA 01464
- Phone(978) 615 9121
- HoursMonday to Thursday, 5:00 am to 8:00 pm
Friday, 5:00 am to 3:00 pm
Saturday, 6:00 am to 1:00 pm - ServingShirley, Ayer, Devens, Harvard, Lunenburg, Groton and 16 more nearby towns
- ReferralNot needed. Book directly with us.
- InsuranceMost of our clients do use their insurance for reimbursement of our physical therapy services.
Book your free consult
Meet in person at our clinic (what most clients choose), by video, or by phone. You pick when you book. Rather talk now? Call (978) 615 9121.
No referral needed.