Dry Needling in Fort Collins: What It Is, What It Isn't, and Whether It Actually Works

If you’ve Googled “dry needling near me,” you’ve probably found two types of information:

1. “It’s basically acupuncture.”

2. “It releases toxins and energy blockages.”

Neither is correct.

Dry needling is an evidence-based treatment used by physical therapists to reduce pain,

improve movement, and calm down irritated muscles and nerves. And despite what Instagram wellness gurus might tell you, it’s not magic — it’s neurophysiology.

At Renovo Physical Therapy and Wellness, we use dry needling as part of a comprehensive physical therapy and performance rehab approach for active adults, lifters, runners, and athletes in Fort Collins.

So let’s clear up what dry needling actually is, what the research says, and whether it’s worth trying.

What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a treatment where a physical therapist inserts a very thin filiform needle into a trigger point or irritated muscle tissue.

Trigger points are those tender, tight, “knotted” areas in muscles that can:

• cause local pain

• refer pain elsewhere

• restrict movement

• increase muscle tension

• make lifting, running, or training feel terrible

The goal of dry needling is to:

• reduce pain sensitivity

• improve muscle function

• decrease protective muscle guarding

• improve range of motion

• calm down the nervous system

In simpler terms: we’re trying to get an angry muscle and heightened nervous system to stop acting like every movement is a threat.

Is Dry Needling the Same as Acupuncture?

No.

This is probably the most common misconception about dry needling.

While both use the same type of needles, the similarities mostly end there.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and focuses on concepts like:

• energy flow

• meridians

• Qi

Dry Needling

Dry needling is rooted in:

• anatomy

• neuroscience

• biomechanics

• modern pain science

A physical therapist uses a musculoskeletal evaluation to determine which muscles, trigger points, or tissues may be contributing to pain or movement restriction.

No balancing your chakras. No incense. No “detoxifying.”

Just anatomy and a tiny needle.

What Happens During Dry Needling?

When the needle reaches a trigger point, you may feel a quick involuntary muscle twitch.

That’s called a local twitch response.

It feels weird for about half a second, but research suggests it may help reduce trigger point sensitivity and improve muscle function.

Many patients describe the feeling afterward as:

• less tightness

• less pressure

• improved mobility

• decreased pain with movement

Sometimes relief is immediate. Sometimes it takes a few sessions. Sometimes you’re sore afterward for 24 hours like you did a strangely specific workout for one muscle you never knew existed. And all of that is normal.

What Does the Research Say About Dry Needling?

The research on dry needling has grown significantly over the past decade.

A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation found dry needling may:

• increase the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals (β-endorphins)

• reduce pain-signaling chemicals like Substance P

• decrease inflammatory pain mediators like CGRP

• improve the nervous system’s ability to regulate pain

Translation: Dry needling appears to help calm down both irritated muscles and an overprotective nervous system.

Multiple systematic reviews have also shown dry needling can improve short-term pain and function for conditions like:

• neck pain

• low back pain

• shoulder pain

• knee pain

• myofascial pain syndromes

Research also suggests dry needling works best when combined with:

• exercise

• strength training

• manual therapy

• movement modification

• pain education

Which is exactly how we use it at Renovo Physical Therapy and Wellness.

Because getting temporary relief is great. Keeping the pain from coming back is better.

What Conditions Can Dry Needling Help?

Dry needling may help with:

• chronic muscle tightness

• sports injuries

• neck pain

• back pain

• shoulder pain

• hip pain

• knee pain

• tendon pain

• headaches related to muscle tension

• training-related stiffness

• plantar fasciitis

  
  

It’s especially useful for active adults and athletes who want to continue training while addressing pain instead of completely shutting everything down for six weeks because their MRI said something mildly dramatic.

Does Dry Needling Hurt?

Usually much less than people expect.

The needle itself is extremely thin — much thinner than a typical injection needle.

Most people feel:

• a small pinch

• pressure

• a twitch response

• temporary soreness afterward

  
  

Some areas are more sensitive than others, but overall, most patients tolerate it very well.

And yes, the irony of treating pain by poking the painful area with a needle is not lost on us!

Is Dry Needling Safe?

When performed by a properly trained physical therapist, dry needling is generally considered very safe.

Possible side effects can include:

• temporary soreness

• bruising

• fatigue

• mild bleeding at the needle site

  
  

At Renovo Physical Therapy and Wellness, dry needling is performed as part of a thorough evaluation and treatment plan — not just randomly throwing needles at muscles and hoping for enlightenment.

Dry Needling Works Best as Part of a Bigger Plan

This part matters.

Dry needling is a tool — not the entire solution.

The best outcomes happen when dry needling is combined with:

• progressive strength training

• mobility work

• load management

• movement analysis

• recovery strategies

• education about pain and training

Our goal is NOT to make you dependent on treatment forever.

Our goal is to help you move better, train confidently, and understand what your body is capable of again.

Looking for Dry Needling in Fort Collins?

At Renovo Physical Therapy and Wellness, we specialize in helping active adults and athletes recover from pain without unnecessary rest, injections, or confusing medical advice.

We combine:

• orthopedic physical therapy

• dry needling

• strength and conditioning

• performance rehab

• movement analysis

  
  

…to help you get back to doing the things you actually enjoy.

If you’re curious whether dry needling is right for you, schedule an evaluation and we’ll build a plan based on your goals, your training history, and your symptoms...not just your MRI report.

References

• Rabanal-Rodríguez G, et al. Neurophysiological Effects of Dry Needling: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2026.

• Chys M, et al. Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Patients With Musculoskeletal Pain — An Umbrella Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023.

• Sánchez-Infante J, et al. Is Dry Needling Applied by Physical Therapists Effective for Pain in Musculoskeletal Conditions? Physical Therapy, 2021.

• de Sire A, et al. Effects of Dry Needling on Functioning and Pain Relief in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain. Disability and Rehabilitation, 2025.

• Lara-Palomo IC, et al. Efficacy of Dry Needling for Chronic Low Back Pain. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 2023.