Dry Needling Greater Clearwater, MO. It’s impossible to describe how it feels when pain and lack of motion in our bodies keep us from the activities we love, or even make basic tasks like climbing the stairs painful or even impossible. At Axes Physical Therapy in Clearwater, MO, we are constantly looking for new and evidence-backed treatments to help Clearwater, MO residents get back to their active lifestyle, or just finally live pain free again. Dry needling has proven to be a critical tool for many of our patients that eases pain, softens stiffness, and restores mobility. Our treatment plans are as distinctive as each client, their ailment, and the life they want to live. Contact Axes Physical Therapy in Clearwater, MO online or find the location most convenient for you and we will guide you toward results and a positive outcome you may have never thought possible. While it might sound to good to be true, with our customized care you will be skipping out the door in no time.
What is Dry Needling? | Clearwater, MO Physical Therapy
Dry needling, also referred to as trigger point dry needling, uses thin filiform needles to puncture the skin and musculoskeletal tissue in order to alleviate chronic pain, boost range of motion and return you to normal function and the active lifestyle you desire. Physical therapists often use it as part of a comprehensive treatment plan along with posture education, exercises, massages, and more. Dry needling should only ever be carried out by medical professionals in Clearwater, MO, such as the licensed and knowledgeable physical therapists at Axes.
Dry needling is often used to treat myofascial pain. The root myo refers to your muscles, while fascia refers to the connective tissue between the muscles. Myofascial pain is considered a chronic pain disorder that can significantly limit people in their daily lives until they find proven and successful treatment. We’ve found that dry needling is a safe and affordable option for Clearwater, MO residents who are burdened with the rising price of medication or have been frustrated by lack of results from other treatments.
Trigger point dry needling is also ideal for Clearwater, MO patients with:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Knee injuries and other joint problems
- Chronic migraines and headaches
- Arthritis
- Rotator cuff tears
- Various sports injuries
- Various spinal issues
- Various hand injuries like carpal tunnel
- Phantom pain
- Sciatica
If you’ve been flummoxed by treatments that just aren’t working and are wondering if you’ll ever get back to the lifestyle and routine you love and had grown accustomed to, make an appointment for a free screening for your injury or chronic pain with one of our professional physical and occupational therapists to learn if dry needling can be implemented into a comprehensive and proven treatment regiment with Axes.
How Does Dry Needling Work? | Clearwater, MO Physical Therapy
Dry needling works by attacking trigger points in the body that are the root cause of your pain and lack of mobility. The trigger point can either affect a localized area or affect an entire joint or muscle group. Trigger points are segments of damaged tight or stressed muscles or tissue that restrict blood flow to that area and surrounding areas. That makes recovery more difficult. By softly puncturing or tearing the knots in your tissue, your Axes physical therapist in Clearwater, MO helps prompt a natural response in your nervous system; the micro-tears tell the body to start the healing process and promote the flow of blood and critical nutrients into the area. Also, the needles will prompt a “twitch” response by sending Axons, or nerve fibers, to the affected areathat will make the trigger point less irritable. That that communication to the brain releases endorphins, the body’s own, homemade feel-good hormone.

Frequently Asked Questions: Trigger Point Dry Needling in Clearwater, MO
Is Dry Needling Painful?
The needles used to penetrate your muscles are eight times thinner than needles used for injections, so many of our Clearwater, MO patients don’t even feel them until they get deeper into the muscle. You may feel some light discomfort once the nerve pathways have been activated, but it lasts for less than two seconds and is a signal that dry needling is working. You may feel some soreness in the pierced muscle or tissue for up to a couple days, but after that, you should start feeling the beneficial effects, if not earlier.
Is Dry Needling Safe?
When it’s performed by qualified physical therapists, there is absolutely no risk. All of our physical and occupational therapists in Clearwater, MO are knowledgeable professionals with a extensive understanding of the human body.
Is Dry Needling Really Effective?
Absolutely, especially when it is part of a larger, comprehensive physical therapy plan. At Axes, our Clearwater, MO physical therapists only develop plans that we know are effective because of our experience and extensive research. Studies have demonstrated the advantages trigger point dry needling can have for people with injuries or chronic pain.
How Long Do The Needles Stay in For? How Deep They Go?
That depends on you, how severe the pain is, lack of movement, and the affected body part. Some piercings will not go very deep and the needles will only stay in for 15-20 seconds. In other cases, the needles will remain for a few minutes and penetrate deep into the muscle, as often dry needling is the easiest way to manipulate tissue deep within the muscles. Your entire experience at Axes will be based exclusively on what is best for you.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Again, that we will make a personalized recommendation based on your needs. Most patients need anywhere from one to six sessions to fully reduce pain and restore mobility. We’ll personalize your plan to you to get you the best outcome possible and safely return you to the activities that matter most to you.
How Quickly Does Dry Needling Work?
Some Clearwater, MO clients can feel the process working right away, while others will need two or three sessions. Rest assured, all of our patients eventually see improvements.
Are Dry Needling and Acupuncture the Same?
This is a common misconception, but no. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice that seeks to balance a person’s flow of energy. Dry needling is based on Western medicine and has only recently become widely used by physical therapists and other medical professionals.
Will My Insurance Cover Dry Needling?
That depends on your particular insurance plan. At Axes, we believe everyone deserves the professional, personalized, and proven treatment plans they need to improve their quality of life and get back to feeling like themselves. We are more than happy to contact your insurance company and investigate how much coverage you can receive.
Some of the other services we offer in Clearwater, MO are:
- Back Pain Treatment
- Neck Pain Treatment
- Physical Therapy Clinic
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
- Sciatica Treatment
- Sports Medicine
- Hand Pain Physical Therapy
- Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
- Hip Pain Treatment
- Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Trigger Point Dry Needling in Clearwater, MO | Axes Physical Therapy
Many of our patients come to us after months or even years of pain and mobility issues that just won’t go away, even after extensive treatment. At Axes, our professional and knowledgeable physical in Clearwater, MO act as part of your team to devise a customized treatment plan with a proven track record of success. We’ve committed our practice to getting the best results for our clients and getting you back to the activities you love most, whether that running a fast break, taking a morning job, or just being able to wake up, go to sleep, and in between do what you want to do without feeling any pain. Get in touch with a professional Clearwater, MO physical therapist online or call the location most convenient for you.










