Dry Needling at Reform Physical Therapy

dry needling therapy maine treatment at reform physical therapy

If you are dealing with muscle pain, tightness, or limited movement that is not improving, dry needling may be the missing piece. At Reform Physical Therapy, we use dry needling as part of a personalized treatment plan to reduce pain, restore movement, and help you get back to what you love. Additionally, many patients choose dry needling therapy in Maine for targeted relief and expert care.

What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a technique used by licensed physical therapists to treat muscle pain and movement dysfunction. It involves placing a thin, sterile needle into tight or irritated muscle tissue, also known as trigger points. This helps release tension, improve blood flow, and reset how the muscle and nervous system function together. In Maine, dry needling therapy is especially effective for individuals seeking relief from chronic issues.

How Dry Needling Works

When muscles become tight, overused, or inflamed, they often struggle to recover fully. This targeted approach speeds up healing by relaxing muscle fibers, improving circulation, and calming the nervous system. It also helps release natural pain-relieving chemicals that support long-term relief. Because this method is minimally invasive and focuses on restoring healthy muscle function, many patients experience significant improvements in mobility and pain reduction within just a few sessions.

This approach is not a one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why our therapists carefully assess each patient to determine if this soft tissue technique should be part of their personalized treatment plan. For those living in Maine, dry needling therapy offers a unique solution for pain management and recovery.

This technique can:

Reduce muscle tension
Improve circulation
Decrease pain signals
Restore normal movement patterns

Most patients notice improved mobility and relief when dry needling is combined with hands on therapy and exercise.

Conditions We Commonly Treat

Our team uses dry needling to treat a wide range of conditions, including:

Muscle pain, tension, and weakness
Headaches and neck stiffness
Plantar fasciitis and foot pain
Elbow, forearm, and wrist injuries
Knee discomfort and stiffness
Hamstring strains and shin splints
Overuse or sports-related injuries

Many patients find lasting relief with dry needling, especially when other treatments haven’t worked. This technique helps restore balance and movement at the muscular level. Above all, dry needling therapy Maine clinics provide reputable and professional care for a variety of conditions.

Our Dry Needling Locations

You can access dry needling therapy at the following Reform Physical Therapy clinics:

Topsham
Brunswick
Freeport
Yarmouth
South Portland– service coming soon!
Kennebunk– service coming soon!
Eliot

Learn More About Dry Needling

Want to dive deeper? Visit these trusted resources to learn more about the science behind dry needling:

–National Institutes of Health (NIH) Review

–American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

To schedule a session or learn if dry needling is right for your condition, contact us here or call your nearest clinic location.

Request an Appointment Today

Nope! While both practices aim to relieve pain or ailments, they are based on different treatment philosophies.

Dry needling’s aim is to cause a ‘micro-trauma’ which encourages the body to start the natural healing process. Dry needling is used specifically on muscles and trigger points.

Acupuncture is a practice based on ancient Chinese medicine. Its aim is to release endorphins, affect the nervous system, and restore the proper flow of energy throughout the body. Acupuncture involves inserting needles along the meridian lines within the body, which represent different organs and bodily systems.

A trigger point is a tight band of muscle fiber, or knots, located within a larger muscle group. Trigger points are typically tender to the touch and touching a trigger point can sometimes cause pain in other parts of the body.

Some of our patients report minimal discomfort, but most report no pain at all. Occasionally, a mild soreness is reported after treatment, but it is similar to the soreness felt after a tough workout.

Dry needling is included under the general physical therapy codes our therapists bill for. So, as long as it’s medically appropriate and physical therapy is covered by your insurance, you’re good to go. Please note, there is a $5.00 supply fee per session, to cover the cost of the needles and supplies.

The technique uses a ‘dry’ needle, meaning there is no medication or injection inserted with the needle.

The timing is dependent on many factors: severity of pain, density of muscle fibers and tissues, as well as the location of the muscles being targeted. Treatment typically takes between 5 and 20 minutes. Moreover, if you want expert dry needling therapy Maine specialists are available at Reform Physical Therapy clinics.

We provide dry-needling services in Topsham, Brunswick, Freeport, Yarmouth, and Eliot, ME.

Learn more about the clinical use of dry needling from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and this NIH review on dry needling effectiveness.