Dry Needling Greater Maplewood, MO. It’s hard to describe how it feels when pain and lack of mobility in our bodies keep us from the the things we love doing, or even make daily movements like reaching for something on the top shelf challenging or even impossible. At Axes Physical Therapy in Maplewood, MO, we are constantly looking for innovative and treatments that have been proven through research to help Maplewood, MO residents recover from their injuries or chronic pain and get back to the activities they love the most. Dry needling has proven to be an irreplaceable tool for many of our patients that eases pain, softens stiffness, and restores mobility. Our treatment plans are as unique as each client, the pain or injury that’s affecting them, and the life they want to live. Contact Axes Physical Therapy in Maplewood, MO online or find the location closest to you and we will shepherd you toward true pain relief and freedom of mobility. While it might sound to good to be true, with our customized care you will be leaping for joy in no time.
What is Dry Needling? | Maplewood, MO Physical Therapy
Dry needling, also referred to as trigger point dry needling, employs thin filiform needles to perforate the skin and underlying muscles and connective tissue in order to reduce frequent pain, boost range of motion and return you to the physical lifestyle your used to. Physical therapists often use it as part of a comprehensive physical therapy plan that can include posture education, exercises, electrical stimulation, and more. Dry needling should only ever be performed by healthcare professionals in Maplewood, MO, such as the licensed and skilled 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 condition that can drastically limit people in their daily lives until they find proven and successful treatment. We’ve found that dry needling is a safe and cost-effective pain reliever for Maplewood, MO residents who are saddled by the exorbitant cost of prescription meds or have been frustrated by poor results from other treatments.
We’ve also found trigger point dry needling to be effective for Maplewood, MO patients with:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Knee injuries and other joint conditions
- Chronic migraines and headaches
- Arthritis
- Rotator cuff tears
- Certain sports injuries
- Various spinal issues
- Certain hand injuries like carpal tunnel
- Phantom pain
- Sciatica
If you’ve been vexed by treatments that just aren’t producing positive outcomes and are wondering if you’ll ever get back to the lifestyle and routine you love and had grown accustomed to, schedule a free screening for your injury or chronic pain with one of our expert physical and occupational therapists to learn if dry needling could finally be the solution you need to end your chronic pain for good.
How Does Dry Needling Work? | Maplewood, MO Physical Therapy
With dry needling, we treat patients by focusing on specific areas or regions, known as trigger points, that are the root cause of limiting pain. The pain may either be specific to the trigger point, or radiate out to affect an entire region of your body. Trigger points are portions of inflamed knotted or irritated muscles or tissue that restrict blood flow to that area and surrounding areas. That makes recovery more difficult. By gently piercing or tearing the knots in your tissue, your Axes physical therapist in Maplewood, MO helps stimulate a natural response in your nervous system; the micro-tears signal the body to start the healing process and promote the flow of blood and essential nutrients into the area. Also, the needles will induce a “twitch” response by sending Axons, or nerve fibers, to the affected areathat will make the trigger point less irritable. That causes the brain to release endorphins, the body’s own, natural pain reliever.

Frequently Asked Questions: Trigger Point Dry Needling in Maplewood, MO
Does Dry Needling Hurt?
The needles used to penetrate your muscles are eight times thinner than needles used for injections, so many of our Maplewood, MO patients don’t even notice them pierce the skin. You may feel some slight discomfort when the twitch response is induced, but it lasts for less than two seconds and shows that the desired effect is already taking hold. You may feel some soreness in the affected region for the first day or two, but after that, you should start feeling the beneficial effects, if not earlier.
Is Dry Needling Safe?
When it’s performed by licensed physical therapists, there is absolutely no risk. team in Maplewood, MO is made up of knowledgeable professionals with a extensive grasp of the human body.
Is Dry Needling Really Effective?
Without a doubt, especially when combined with other pain management and mobility techniques. At Axes, our Maplewood, MO physical therapists only develop plans that have been proven to work through extensive research. Studies show that trigger point dry needling effectively reduces pain and improves function.
How Long Do The Needles Stay in For? How Deep They Go?
The specific dry needling techniques we use will be personalized to your needs. Some piercings will be incredibly shallow and the needles will be consistently moved and changed out. Other times, the needles will remain for as many as 15 or 20 minutes and go to the core of the muscle, as often dry needling is the most effective way to manipulate tissue deep within the muscles. All Axes physical therapy plans are unique, just like our patients.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Again, that we will make a personalized recommendation based on your needs. Some patients see significant improvement after one session, while others need five or six sessions to get the full benefit. We’ll tailor your experience to you to get you the maximum benefit and safely return you to the activities that you love most.
How Quickly Does Dry Needling Work?
Some Maplewood, MO patients obtain immediate relief, while others have to wait a day or two after their first appointment.
Isn’t Dry Needling Just the Same as Acupuncture?
Only in that they use similar needles. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical technique that aims to align a person’s “chi,” or vital life force. Dry needling has its roots in Western medicine and has only gained traction in the last several decades.
Will My Insurance Cover Dry Needling?
Insurance plans all vary, so we can’t know until we look at your personal 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 the active lifestyle they’re accustomed to. If you’d like, we’ll go over your insurance plan and see if dry needling is covered.
Some of the other services we offer in Maplewood, MO are:
- 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
- Stroke Rehabilitation

Trigger Point Dry Needling in Maplewood, 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 experienced physical and occupational in Maplewood, MO work with you as a team to design a tailored treatment plan that we’ve seen be successful with our own eyes. We’ve pledged our practice to positive patient outcomes and getting you back to the activities you love most, whether that running a fast break, dominating your local pickleball league, 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 knowledgeable Maplewood, MO physical therapist online or call the location closest to you.





