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Heal Your Body With Trigger Point Dry Needling

First in the State to Offer Dry Needling — Experience Counts.

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What is Trigger Point Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a treatment used to relieve pain and improve movement by targeting tight muscle knots (called trigger points).

The physical therapists at Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Inc strive to offer the best care for our patients. We were one of the first clinics in Virginia to offer trigger point dry needling, beginning in 2003.  Our therapists are certified, meaning that the have completed intense training and passed a rigorous written and practical exam.  As more therapists are offering trigger point dry needling, we want you to be informed.  If you have any questions, please call 804-285-0148.  Experience counts!!

Trigger points in a muscle often are associated with a referred pain pattern. That is, a patient may feel pain down the back of the leg, but the source of pain may be located focally in the buttocks or low back. By treating the source of the pain, the leg pain will resolve. Typically, patients who receive Trigger Point Dry Needling treatments have little or no signs of tissue damage or inflammation, but do complain of soreness.

How It Works:

  • A certified provider inserts thin, solid needles (no medication) into or near the trigger points.
  • This stimulates the muscle, causing it to contract and relax.
  • The result? Less pain, better movement, and improved flexibility.

Dry needling is a safe and effective way to help your muscles release tension and function better. If you’re dealing with muscle pain or stiffness, this treatment may be right for you!

Why Choose Us for Dry Needling?

  • Certified Experts - Our therapists undergo rigorous training and certification to ensure you receive the highest standard of care.
  • Pinpointing the Source of Your Pain – We treat not just your symptoms, but the root cause, whether it’s in your back, neck, foot, shoulder, or beyond.
  • Personalized Treatment Plans – Every patient’s journey is different. Some feel relief in just a few sessions, while others require a more structured plan. Treatments are typically spaced one week apart and combined with traditional physical therapy for the best results.

Success Stories

Dr. Adler and her staff are amazing!!! I’d been coping with neck, shoulder, back, and leg pain stemming from a MVA, and was referred to Dr. Adler by my primary care doctor. After the first dry needling appointment, I experienced pain relief that I hadn’t felt in years. With each subsequent visit, my pain levels have decreased. Now after 5 visits, I feel like a different person. Dr. Adler is incredibly knowledgeable about the human body and so very personable. Like she really knows her stuff!!! I will never be able to thank her enough and am forever grateful to her. I strongly recommend her and her staff. Do yourself a favor and make an appointment. You will not regret it!
Dry Needling Patient

-Richmond, VA
After suffering from sciatica for over five years, I finally found the answer to my prayers! With the expertise of Dr. Tracey Adler, along with trigger point dry needling, I am now free of my debilitating pain. It is with appreciation that I have returned to my normal life and activities, including yoga classes, work, and walking everyday. Thank you OPT Inc!
Amy Gammon

-Richmond, VA

Trigger Point Dry Needling - Frequently Asked Questions

What parts of the body do you treat?

We will treat you according to the source of your pain, whether it is in your foot, shoulder, knee, hip, or any other place in the body!

In most cases, trigger point dry needling to a trigger point is uncomfortable, briefly. As the muscle relaxes and lengthens, the pain and sensitivity subsides. In most cases, the pain subsides within seconds, although muscle soreness may persist for 24 to 48 hours.

Trigger points in muscles often cause referred pain patterns – you may feel pain in one area, but the source is actually in another location. By treating these trigger points directly, we release muscle tension and interrupt pain signals, providing relief that addresses the root cause.

No, dry needling is not acupuncture. While both use thin needles, acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine and focuses on energy pathways, while dry needling directly targets trigger points, muscle dysfunction, and pain.

In addition to Tracey Adler, DPT, OCS, CMTPT/DN, Kristen Wright, PT, MPT, CMTPT/DN, Charles Brooks Steadman, PT, DPT, MTC, CMTPT/DN, and Rebecca Ayers Harris, PT, DPT, CMTPT/DN, are certified in trigger point dry needling. Dr. Adler has taught trigger point dry needling around the country for Myopain Seminars. In order to receive international certification in trigger point dry needling, an individual must attend rigorous hours of continuing education. This involves a comprehensive review of musculoskeletal anatomy and neuroanatomy. The individual is educated on the origin of myofascial trigger points and how to accurately locate them in a muscle. Certification also requires an understanding of all current research regarding myofascial trigger points and the body’s response to pain. Individuals must pass a written and practical competency examination

In Virginia, you are able to see a physical therapist without a doctor’s referral, thanks to Direct Access laws.

Ready to Feel Better? Experience Counts

Don’t let pain hold you back. If you have questions or want to know what treatments are right for you, contact us today to schedule a consultation at our Richmond, VA office. Let’s get you moving again!

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