Dry Needling in Meridian, Idaho | Precision Performance and Therapy

Precision Performance and Therapy is a physical therapy and sports performance clinic in Meridian, ID that utilizes dry needling to help with recovery from pain and injury to help individuals achieve their activity goals. Precision Performance and Therapy also utilizes dry needling as a tool for the athletes we train to recover and keep training at their full potential. Dry needling is a treatment technique that physical therapists (and other professions) use to relieve musculoskeletal pain, restore mobility, and improve muscle activation.

What is Dry Needling?

The name dry needling sounds kind of scary, but it is a safe, mildly discomforting specialized treatment technique that involves the insertion of thin, sterile filiform needles into myofascial trigger points tight muscles, or dysfunctional tissues. Dry needling is based on addressing anatomical and neurophysiological dysfunctions. The term “dry” is used to indicate that the needles do not inject any substance into the body, differentiating it from procedures like injections (which can be labeled as “wet” needling).

Dry needling can be seen as similar, but is generally not the same as acupuncture. The tools are similar, but typically the philosophies and application differ, although there are a variety of styles of acupuncture which are very similar to dry needling.

How is Dry Needling Performed at Our Meridian Clinic?

During your session at Precision Performance and Therapy, we begin by reviewing your medical history, injury background, and functional status (strength, flexibility, range of motion, etc.). Based on your needs, we’ll craft a customized plan that may include dry needling to reduce pain and enhance recovery.

The treatment is done in a private, sanitized setting. After identifying trigger points, we apply the needle using a gentle tapping technique through a guide tube, targeting the dysfunctional tissue directly. The session typically lasts between a few seconds and 20 minutes.

We begin conservatively—usually with 1–3 needles—to evaluate your response. Over time, more locations may be treated. Post-needling care often includes stretching or corrective exercises to amplify the results.

Does Dry Needling Hurt?

The trigger points and tissue may be sensitive so there is often discomfort associated with dry needling. This may be when the sensitive area is being palpated prior to the application of the needle or when the needle is in the sensitive area. There can be a muscle twitch felt with insertion of the needle into a trigger point that may feel alarming, but this is a normal response. It can happen some of the time, but most of the time, individuals do not feel the insertion of the needle based on the technique of application.

How Does Dry Needling Work?

Dry needling stimulates tissue healing and neuromuscular reactivation by targeting irritated or overactive receptors in the muscle. Key benefits include:

1. Reducing muscle tension – Improves range of motion and flexibility.
2. Boosting local blood circulation – Promotes healing through increased nutrient delivery.
3. Decreasing pain sensitivity – Alters pain perception via nervous system modulation.
4. Improving motor control – Resets dysfunctional muscle activation patterns.
5. Enhancing athletic performance – Relieves imbalances and maintains tissue quality during high-load training cycles.

Who Can Benefit From Dry Needling? 

⚡ Athletes Recovering from Sports Injuries

Dry needling aids in reducing muscle tightness, enhancing range of motion, and accelerating recovery from injuries such as strains, sprains, and tendinopathies. This can be especially beneficial for individuals who want to maintain and improve their activity and performance levels while recovering from an injury. The ease and versatility of performing a dry needling treatment allows it to be applied during different phases of athletic activity. This includes during training, during recovery periods, pregame, halftime, or postgame, to relieve pain and improve flexibility.

⚡ Athletes Seeking Peak Performance

Beyond injury recovery, dry needling can help maintain optimal muscle function, decrease potential for injuries, and support athletic performance during intense training periods. When applied appropriately dry needling addresses muscle imbalances and tightness that could hinder athletic performance.

⚡ Individuals with Acute Pain

Sudden pain can often be improved quickly if addressed appropriately. In a lot of cases, the pattern of pain sensation just needs to be broken to allow for normal movement and activity which then continues to resolve the pain.  In cases of sudden pain, dry needling can provide immediate pain relief, reduce swelling, and restore mobility. This facilitates a quicker return to pain free activity.

⚡ Individuals Experiencing Chronic Pain

Dry needling has been shown to decrease pain intensity and improve functional activity in individuals with chronic conditions such as low back pain, neck pain, and fibromyalgia. Chronic pain can be challenging to address, but dry needling can serve as a valuable tool in addressing chronic pain, helping individuals live a more enjoyable active life.

⚡ Individuals with Work-Related Injuries

Work-related injuries come in all types. Acute, traumatic, and repetitive stress injuries. Issues caused by repetitive tasks or poor ergonomics can benefit from dry needling. It helps alleviate pain, improve range of motion, and facilitate improved functional activity, expediting return to work.

⚡ Individuals Involved in Car Accidents

Auto accident injuries like whiplash, muscle strains, or joint pain can be effectively treated with dry needling. Injuries such as whiplash can be especially challenging to address because of the sensitivity of the body trying to protect itself with changes in activity. Not only can dry needling promote healing by increasing blood flow, reducing muscle spasms, and decreasing pain signals, it can also be a more gentle and tolerable treatment in the initial stages of injury.

⚡ Individuals with Repetitive Strain or Overuse Injuries

Conditions resulting from repetitive motions respond well to dry needling. Not only does it help break the cycle of more constant pain, treatments target and release tight muscles, alleviating pain and help to restore function.

Conditions Treated With Dry Needling at Our Meridian Clinic

• Shoulder pain – shoulder impingement, shoulder surgery, rotator cuff tendinopathy, etc
• Low back pain – this includes low back issues that involves nerve pain and sciatic pain.
• Upper back pain
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• TMD/TMJ (jaw) pain
• Elbow pain – tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), medial epicondylitis, etc
• Knee pain – patellofemoral pain, patellar tendinopathy (Jumper’s knee), etc
• Ankle pain – sprained ankle, achilles tendinopathy, etc
• General muscle strains and overuse injuries

Is Dry Needling Safe? 

Dry needling is a safe and minimally invasive technique when performed by a trained and licensed physical therapist. The needles are single use, sterile, and disposable. Adverse effects and side effects are rare.

Some patients may experience mild soreness or bruising at the insertion site. Stiffness may be present after the treatment, but this usually is short-lived, especially when individuals move and exercise.  Sometimes there is a little bleeding, but this is minimal and often does not occur.

With any skin penetrating treatment, the risk of infection exists. While there is a risk of infection, it is very rare.

Who Should Not Receive Dry Needling?

1. Individuals who do not understand the treatment and are unable to give informed consent
2. Individuals who are pregnant (especially the first trimester)
3. People with a compromised immune system
4. Individuals with a severe needle phobia
5. Individuals who had a recent surgery
6. Individuals on uncontrolled blood thinners or have uncontrolled bleeding

Additional Considerations

Other conditions and factors that may contraindicate dry needling include:

• Active infections or skin lesions at the proposed needling site.
• Lymphedema or significant swelling in the area.
• Metal allergies, particularly to nickel, which is commonly used in needles.
• Certain vascular diseases that may increase the risk of complications.
• Severe psychological conditions that could be exacerbated by the procedure.

Schedule Your Dry Needling Session in Meridian, ID

Dry needling is a highly effective technique in physical therapy for relieving pain, improving mobility, accelerating recovery, and enhancing sports performance. If you’re dealing with pain, tightness, or recovery challenges, dry needling at Precision Performance and Therapy may be the answer. Our licensed professionals are trained in delivering personalized, safe, and effective treatment plans.

Located in Meridian, ID | (208) 376-7313 | trainatprecision.com

Take the first step toward recovery and high performance—contact us today to book your appointment!

Summary

✅ What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a safe, minimally invasive physical therapy technique where thin, sterile needles are inserted into tight muscles or trigger points to relieve pain, reduce muscle tension, and restore movement. Unlike injections, dry needling does not introduce any substances into the body.

✅ Does Dry Needling Hurt?

Most people feel minimal discomfort. You might feel a twitch or brief soreness at the needle site, but this is normal and often a sign the treatment is targeting the correct area.

✅ Who Can Benefit from Dry Needling?

Dry needling can help:

• Athletes recovering from injuries
• People with chronic or acute pain
• Those with repetitive strain injuries
• Individuals healing from car accidents or workplace injuries

✅ Who Should Not Get Dry Needling?

Avoid dry needling if you:

• Are pregnant (especially early on)
• Have a compromised immune system
• Are on uncontrolled blood thinners
• Just had surgery
• Have severe needle phobia or cannot consent to treatment

Where to Get Dry Needling in Meridian, ID

At Precision Performance and Therapy, we offer expert dry needling to help reduce pain, improve function, and speed up recovery.
Call (208) 376-7313 or visit trainatprecision.com to book your appointment.