Dry Needling, Cupping & Manual Therapy

Target relief for stubborn pain.

When muscle tension and trigger points don't respond to traditional treatment, specialized techniques like dry needling, manual therapy, and cupping can provide the breakthrough relief you need. Dr. Carly combines these evidence-based approaches to address pain at its source, releasing restrictions that contribute to ongoing discomfort and limited mobility. These gentle yet effective methods complement your overall treatment plan, helping you achieve lasting results when other approaches fall short.

What to Expect From Specialized Techniques

Tension Release

Experience rapid relief as tight trigger points and muscle knots are targeted directly, often providing noticeable improvement within the same session.

Enhanced Results

These techniques work synergistically with your exercise program and manual therapy, accelerating your overall progress and helping you achieve longer-lasting results.

Better Movement

By addressing deep tissue restrictions, you'll notice improved flexibility, reduced stiffness, and easier movement in areas that previously felt tight or limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is dry needling? Is it different than acupuncture?

Dry needling uses thin needles to target specific trigger points and tight muscle bands, focusing on musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. While acupuncture follows traditional Chinese medicine principles, dry needling is based on Western medicine and anatomy, specifically targeting areas of muscle tension and pain.

Does dry needling hurt?

Most women describe the sensation as a brief pinch followed by a deep, satisfying release of tension. Some trigger points may cause a momentary muscle twitch or cramping sensation, which indicates the technique is working effectively. Dr. Carly ensures you're comfortable throughout the process and adjusts the approach based on your comfort level.

What is cupping and how does it help?

Cupping uses gentle suction to lift tissues, improving blood flow and releasing fascial restrictions. This technique is particularly effective for areas of chronic tension, scar tissue, and improving circulation to promote healing. The suction creates a unique sensation that many women find deeply relaxing.

Will cupping leave marks on my skin?

Cupping may leave temporary circular marks that typically fade within 3-7 days. These marks aren't painful and indicate increased circulation to the treated area. Dr. Carly adjusts the intensity based on your comfort level and can modify the approach if you prefer to avoid visible marks.

What is manual therapy?

Manual therapy includes hands-on techniques like soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, and myofascial release. Dr. Carly uses these gentle yet effective approaches to improve tissue mobility, reduce pain, and restore normal movement patterns throughout your body, including internal pelvic floor work when appropriate.

Is it safe to do all this during pregnancy?

Yes, when performed by a specialist trained in pregnancy care. Dr. Carly modifies all techniques for safety during pregnancy, using gentle manual therapy and modified cupping approaches to address common pregnancy discomforts like back pain, hip tension, and postural changes.

Do you do these techniques during 1-on-1 physical therapy?

Yes! These techniques are actually specialized tools within physical therapy. Dr. Carly integrates dry needling, manual therapy, and cupping into your comprehensive physical therapy treatment plan when they can enhance your results.

Can I do dry needling, cupping and manual therapy outside of normal PT sessions?

Once we have done an evaluation, we can definitely schedule you for shorter sessions that only involve dry needling, cupping and manual therapy. While we recommend that these techniques are worked into your full plan of care, we can absolutely see you for one-off sessions to help relieve immediate tension. The typical dry needling, cupping and manual therapy session will take 20-30 minutes.