Dry Needling

Dry Needling is a highly effective physical therapy treatment for muscular tension, tightness, and spasm. When a muscle is injured — or when chronic pain takes hold — the tissue can develop tight, hypersensitive knots called trigger points. These trigger points don’t just hurt where they form; they can refer pain to distant areas of the body and cause secondary dysfunction throughout the musculoskeletal system.

One treatment in the physical therapy toolbox is dry needling, which involves inserting a thin, sterile filament needle directly into the affected trigger point. There is no medication in the needle — hence the name “dry.” This precise insertion causes the muscle to twitch and then relax, interrupting the pain-spasm cycle and restoring normal tissue function. Many patients experience dramatic — and often immediate — relief in their symptoms.

At Makovicka Physical Therapy, Dry Needling is always integrated into a broader, individualized physical therapy plan. It works alongside manual therapy, corrective exercise, and other evidence-based interventions to address not just your pain, but the underlying cause of it.

How the Treatment Works

• Comprehensive Evaluation — Your physical therapist identifies the specific muscles and trigger points contributing to your pain or dysfunction.
• Needle Insertion — A thin, sterile filament needle is inserted into the targeted trigger point. You may feel a brief local twitch response — a positive sign the trigger point has been engaged.
• Muscle Relaxation — The twitch response causes the muscle to relax, releasing the trigger point and disrupting the neurological pain cycle, sustaining your symptoms.
• Integration with the Broader PT Plan of Care — Dry Needling is combined with manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and patient education to create lasting results.

Benefits of Dry Needling

Dry Needling works at a level that many traditional treatments cannot reach — directly targeting the neuromuscular dysfunction that generates pain. Key benefits include:

• Fast-Acting Relief — Many patients experience a significant reduction in pain and tension within one or two sessions, often with noticeable improvement immediately after treatment.
• Restored Range of Motion — Releasing trigger points restores joint mobility and flexibility, making it easier to perform daily activities, sports, and exercise without limitation.
• Interrupts the Pain Cycle — Chronic pain becomes self-sustaining through neurological pathways. Dry Needling disrupts those pathways at the source, helping to reset the nervous system’s pain response.
• Improved Muscle Function — A relaxed, properly functioning muscle can be stronger and more responsive. Patients often find strength and coordination improve following trigger point release.
• Accelerated Recovery — Dry Needling increases local blood flow and promotes healing at the cellular level. Combined with therapeutic exercise, patients typically recover faster from acute and chronic injuries.

Conditions Commonly Treated

Dry Needling is effective for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including:

• Neck pain
• Low back pain
• Shoulder impingement and rotator cuff injuries
• Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
• Hip and gluteal tension
• IT band syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis
• Headaches and migraines
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
• General sports injuries and chronic overuse conditions

Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture: What’s the Difference?

This is one of the most common questions patients ask — and understandably so. Both techniques use thin needles, but the similarities end there. The two practices are rooted in entirely different philosophies, training systems, and treatment goals.

In short: if your pain is rooted in muscle tension, trigger points, or musculoskeletal dysfunction, Dry Needling — delivered by a trained physical therapist — is the evidence-based choice.

Dry Needling for TMJ & Jaw Pain

One often overlooked application of Dry Needling is in treating temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). If you suffer from jaw pain, clicking, chronic headaches, or teeth grinding, Dry Needling may offer relief that other treatments have not.

The masseter and temporalis muscles — the powerful muscles responsible for chewing and jaw movement — frequently develop spasms that cause your jaw to misalign. This misalignment strains the TMJ disk and joint, generating radiating headaches, facial pain, and limited mouth opening.

Dry Needling precisely targets these muscles, releasing the spasm and allowing the jaw to return to its natural, relaxed position. Relief is often felt within the first few sessions.

At Makovicka Physical Therapy, our TMJ approach integrates multiple proven techniques:

• Dry Needling — Targets masseter and temporalis muscle spasms directly, releasing tension and allowing jaw realignment.
• Manual Physical Therapy — Hands-on techniques to improve joint motion, reduce trigger points around the jaw, and alleviate stress on the TMJ disk and joint.
• Range of Motion & Strengthening Exercises — Prescribed to restore proper jaw function and prevent long-term recurrence.
• Collaborative Care — Makovicka proudly coordinates with dentists and oral surgeons to provide the most comprehensive and effective TMJ treatment possible.

Myths & Frequently Asked Questions

MYTH: “Dry Needling is just acupuncture with a different name.”

False. While both use thin needles, Dry Needling is grounded entirely in evidence-based research, anatomy, and neuroscience. Physical therapists who perform Dry Needling complete specialized post-graduate clinical training in musculoskeletal assessment and trigger point release. It targets specific, identifiable tissue pathology — not energy meridians. The mechanism, training, intent, and application are entirely distinct from acupuncture.

MYTH: “Dry Needling is extremely painful.”

Most patients are surprised by how comfortable the procedure is. The needles used are very thin — much finer than a standard injection needle. You may feel a brief, deep ache or muscle twitch when the trigger point is reached — this is actually a positive sign that the technique is working. The twitch is momentary, and most patients describe the overall experience as far more manageable than expected. Mild soreness for 24–48 hours after treatment is normal and typically followed by significant relief.

MYTH: “It’s not safe — you can get an infection.”

Dry Needling at Makovicka Physical Therapy is performed with single-use, sterile, disposable needles. Every needle is opened fresh for your treatment and immediately disposed of afterward. Infection risk is negligible when the procedure is performed by a trained clinician following proper protocol, which our therapists rigorously follow.

FAQ: How many sessions will I need?

This varies by patient, condition, and how long the issue has been present. Many patients experience meaningful relief within 2–4 sessions. Acute injuries may be resolved quickly, while chronic conditions may require a longer course of integrated care. Your therapist will set clear expectations after your initial evaluation.

FAQ: Is Dry Needling covered by insurance?

Coverage varies by provider and plan. Because Dry Needling is delivered by licensed physical therapists as part of a broader PT treatment plan, it is often covered — at least partially — under physical therapy benefits. Our billing team will verify your specific coverage before your first visit and walk you through any expected out-of-pocket costs.

FAQ: Do I need a doctor’s referral?

In Nebraska, you can begin physical therapy — including Dry Needling — without a physician’s referral through direct access. However, some insurance plans still require a referral for full coverage. We recommend checking with your insurer beforehand, and our front desk team is glad to help you navigate those details.

Why Choose Makovicka Physical Therapy for Dry Needling?

Dry Needling is only as effective as the therapist performing it. At Makovicka, you aren’t just getting a technique — you’re getting a clinical team that has invested deeply in advanced training, earned your community’s trust, and built an entire practice philosophy around doing this right.

Certified in Functional Dry Needling™ (FDN)

Makovicka therapists are trained in Functional Dry Needling™ — a rigorous, post-graduate certification program. Multiple clinic directors across our network hold Level 1 and advanced FDN certifications, ensuring clinical excellence at every location.

Locally Owned & Operated by Physical Therapists

Makovicka is locally owned and operated by physical therapists — not a hospital network or corporate chain. That independence means your therapist can recommend Dry Needling when it’s right for you, based purely on your clinical needs.

Convenient Locations

With clinics throughout Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, Bennington, Gretna, Millard, Papillion, Plattsmouth, Wahoo, and beyond, expert Dry Needling care is never far from home — with flexible hours to fit your schedule.

Collaborative, Whole-Person Care

Dry Needling at Makovicka is never performed in isolation. It is integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan designed around your goals — and when needed, we coordinate directly with your physicians, dentists, and specialists for seamless, team-based care.