Trigger Point Dry Needling
If you're dealing with a stubborn muscle knot, chronic tightness, or pain that keeps coming back no matter how much you stretch, trigger point dry needling at VAST Chiropractic may be the fastest way to real relief.
What is dry needling?
Dry needling is a therapeutic technique where a thin filament needle is inserted directly into a trigger point — a tight, irritable knot within a muscle that refers pain to other areas of the body. Unlike acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine meridians, dry needling is a Western, evidence-based technique that targets the specific muscle tissue causing your pain and dysfunction.
The needle creates a local twitch response, which helps release the tight muscle fibers, improve blood flow to the area, and interrupt the pain signals your nervous system has been sending.
Who dry needling helps
-
Chronic neck and shoulder tension
-
Low back pain and hip tightness
-
Repetitive strain injuries from work, lifting, or training
-
Headaches originating from muscle tension in the neck and upper back
-
Athletes dealing with overuse injuries in the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, ankle or foot
-
Nerve entrapments caused by surrounding muscle tightness
What to expect
Dr. Nate Bernatz is trained in both Level 1 and Level 2 dry needling, and combines it with Active Release Techniques (ART) when appropriate to address both the trigger point itself and the surrounding fascia and scar tissue. Most patients feel a brief twitch or ache during the needle insertion, followed by noticeable looseness in the area within a day or two.
We typically recommend 15 minutes per treatment area, and most patients notice a real change in pain and range of motion within their first few visits. Patients that are slower to improve or show no improvement within 2-3 treatments will be referred back to their primary care for further evaluation and/or imaging.
Why choose VAST Chiropractic, Inc.
VAST Chiropractic, Inc. located inside Ute CrossFit at 633 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City, specializes specifically in overuse and repetitive movement injuries — not general chiropractic care. Dr. Bernatz holds advanced ART certifications including Long Nerve Entrapments, is a former Elite Provider, and Ironman Provider, giving him a deeper toolkit for stubborn, complex cases than a typical chiropractic office.
We're a self-pay practice with flat-rate, time-based pricing and itemized receipts available for insurance reimbursement.
FAQ
Does dry needling Hurt?
Most patients feel a brief twitch or dull ache during insertion, followed by mild soreness for a day or two — similar to post-workout muscle soreness.
How is dry needling different from acupuncture?
Dry needling is a Western, evidence-based technique targeting specific muscle trigger points, while acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine and energy meridians.
How many sessions will I need?
Many patients notice improved range of motion and reduced pain within their first visit, though chronic or long-standing issues may need ongoing treatment.
Is dry needling covered by insurance?
VAST Chiropractic is self-pay with flat-rate pricing, and we provide itemized receipts you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.
VAST Chiropractic, Inc.
633 E 3300 S Suite B
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
801.566.5864
vastchiropractic@gmail.com