Our Services
Dry Needling in Lake Norman, NC
Certified trigger point dry needling to release muscle tension, reduce pain, and restore movement — often producing results in just one to three sessions. Performed exclusively by Eric Ford, PT, CMTPT.
BOOK A DRY NEEDLING APPOINTMENT →What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is an advanced treatment technique performed by a certified physical therapist. A thin, solid filament needle is inserted directly into a muscle trigger point — a hypersensitive, contracted band of muscle tissue — to release tension, restore normal muscle function, and reduce pain.
Unlike acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine meridians, dry needling is grounded in Western anatomy and neuroscience. The goal is to address specific musculoskeletal dysfunction identified during your clinical evaluation.
Eric Ford, PT holds his CMTPT certification (Certified Manual Trigger Point Therapist) and has been performing dry needling for years as an integral part of sports rehabilitation and orthopedic treatment.
What Dry Needling Treats
Muscle Trigger Points & Tightness
Tight, knotted muscles that restrict movement and cause local or referred pain respond rapidly to dry needling. A single session can produce immediate improvements in tissue extensibility and pain levels.
Neck & Upper Back Pain
Trigger points in the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and cervical muscles are a primary driver of neck pain and headaches. Dry needling provides rapid relief where other treatments have fallen short.
Shoulder Pain & Rotator Cuff
Rotator cuff trigger points and shoulder muscle dysfunction respond exceptionally well to dry needling, often unlocking range of motion that manual therapy and stretching alone cannot achieve.
Low Back Pain
Paraspinal muscle tightness, gluteal trigger points, and piriformis dysfunction are common contributors to low back pain. Dry needling directly targets these tissues to reduce pain and restore movement.
Hip & Glute Pain
Hip flexor tightness, IT band-related tension, and deep hip rotator trigger points are effectively addressed with dry needling — particularly in runners and athletes with chronic hip complaints.
Plantar Fasciitis & Achilles Pain
Calf and foot muscle trigger points contribute significantly to plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy. Dry needling to these tissues can dramatically accelerate recovery when combined with a loading program.
Headaches & Jaw Pain (TMJ)
Tension headaches and TMJ dysfunction are frequently driven by trigger points in the suboccipital, masseter, and temporalis muscles. Dry needling to these areas provides rapid and lasting relief.
Post-Surgical Scar Tissue
Dry needling can help break down scar tissue and adhesions following surgery, improving tissue quality and mobility as part of a comprehensive post-surgical rehabilitation program.
What to Expect During a Dry Needling Session
Before needling, Eric will identify your trigger points through hands-on assessment. The needle is then inserted into the trigger point — you may feel a local twitch response, which is a normal and often therapeutic sign that the trigger point has been engaged. Some patients feel immediate relief; others notice improvement over the following 24-48 hours.
Mild soreness after treatment is normal and typically resolves within a day. Dry needling is always combined with targeted exercise and manual therapy as part of your overall treatment plan — never performed in isolation.
Is Dry Needling Right for You?
Dry needling is appropriate for most patients dealing with musculoskeletal pain, muscle tightness, or movement restrictions. It is contraindicated in certain situations including pregnancy (first trimester), bleeding disorders, or active infection. Eric will review your health history during your evaluation to determine if dry needling is appropriate for you.
Most patients begin to notice meaningful improvement within 1-3 sessions when dry needling is integrated with a comprehensive treatment plan.
We serve patients throughout Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville, and the greater Lake Norman area from two convenient locations.
BOOK A DRY NEEDLING APPOINTMENT →