What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a clinical technique that involves inserting thin, solid filiform needles into specific points in muscle tissue — called trigger points or motor points — to reduce pain, release muscular tension, and improve neuromuscular function. Despite using the same needles as acupuncture, dry needling is a distinct intervention rooted in Western musculoskeletal medicine and neurophysiology rather than traditional Chinese medicine or meridian theory.
The term "dry" refers to the fact that no substance is injected — the needle itself is the therapeutic tool. The mechanical and neurological effects of needle insertion into a trigger point produce a local twitch response in the muscle, which disrupts the dysfunctional contracture, improves blood flow, reduces nociceptive input, and begins the process of tissue normalization.
At Bray Chiropractic & Wellness in Glastonbury, dry needling is one of several clinical tools Dr. Bray uses as part of an integrated treatment approach — applied when the clinical presentation calls for it, not as a standalone or routine intervention.
How Does Dry Needling Work?
The mechanism of dry needling is best understood through the trigger point model. A trigger point is a hyperirritable spot within a taut band of muscle fiber — a localized area of sustained contracture that reduces blood flow, accumulates metabolic waste, and sensitizes the surrounding nervous system. Trigger points can produce local pain, referred pain to distant regions, restricted range of motion, and muscle weakness.
When a needle is inserted into a trigger point and a local twitch response is elicited — a brief involuntary contraction of the taut band — several things happen:
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The sustained contracture is mechanically disrupted
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Blood flow to the area increases
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The accumulation of sensitizing substances in the trigger point zone is flushed out
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The nociceptive input driving local and referred pain is reduced
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The nervous system's sensitization to the area begins to normalize
The result is a reduction in pain, an improvement in range of motion, and a change in how the muscle is functioning — effects that are often immediate and measurable within the same session.
What Conditions Is Dry Needling Used For?
Dry needling at Bray Chiropractic & Wellness is applied across a range of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular presentations, including:
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Myofascial pain syndrome — persistent muscle pain driven by active trigger points
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Chronic low back pain with a significant myofascial component
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Neck pain and upper trapezius tension
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Tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches with muscular contributions
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Hip pain — including piriformis syndrome, hip flexor dysfunction, and deep hip rotator involvement
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Shoulder pain — rotator cuff-related myofascial dysfunction and posterior capsule tightness
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Sciatica with a piriformis or deep hip rotator contribution
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Pelvic floor dysfunction — dry needling of the hip, gluteal, and adductor musculature is frequently integrated into pelvic floor treatment for patients with significant myofascial contributions to pelvic symptoms
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TMJ dysfunction with a muscular component
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Chronic pain conditions with a central sensitization component — where peripheral trigger point treatment is used as part of a broader pain management approach
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Athletic performance and recovery — addressing tension patterns and movement restrictions that limit performance or increase injury risk
Is Dry Needling the Same as Acupuncture?
No — though the question is common and understandable given that both use thin needles. The differences are significant:
Theoretical framework. Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and works within a framework of energy channels, meridians, and qi. Dry needling is rooted in Western musculoskeletal medicine and neurophysiology. The indications, needle placement rationale, and treatment goals are entirely different.
Point selection. Acupuncture points are selected based on meridian theory and the patient's broader health presentation within the traditional Chinese medicine framework. Dry needling targets specific trigger points and motor points identified through orthopedic assessment and palpation.
Scope and integration. At this practice, dry needling is one tool within a broader musculoskeletal assessment and treatment model — used alongside chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and rehabilitative exercise when the clinical picture calls for it.
What Does Dry Needling Feel Like?
Most patients describe dry needling as a unique sensation that is different from a standard injection or blood draw. The needle itself is extremely thin — much thinner than a hypodermic needle — and insertion is typically not painful.
When a trigger point is needled and a local twitch response occurs, patients often feel a brief muscle cramping or twitching sensation. This is a normal and expected response — it indicates that the trigger point has been successfully engaged. The sensation resolves quickly and is typically followed by a feeling of release or relaxation in the treated area.
Soreness in the treated area for 24 to 48 hours following a session is common, particularly for patients who have significant trigger point activity or who are receiving dry needling for the first time. This soreness is similar to post-exercise muscle soreness and generally resolves within one to two days.
How Is Dry Needling Integrated Into Care at This Practice?
Dry needling at Bray Chiropractic & Wellness is not a standalone treatment. It is one component of a multimodal approach that may also include chiropractic adjustments, orthopedic massage, rehabilitative exercise, and clinical nutrition depending on the presentation.
For most patients, dry needling is most effective when integrated with other treatment approaches rather than used in isolation. The combination of needle-based trigger point release and joint-based chiropractic treatment, for example, addresses both the myofascial and articular contributors to a pain problem simultaneously — producing faster and more durable results than either approach alone.
Dry Needling Training and Credentials
Dr. Bray completed his dry needling certification through the University of Bridgeport School of Chiropractic in March 2025. His training builds on an extensive background in orthopedic soft tissue assessment and manual therapy developed over more than a decade of clinical practice as a Licensed Massage Therapist and Exercise Physiologist.
Dry Needling in Glastonbury, CT
Patients seeking dry needling in Glastonbury, South Glastonbury, Hebron, Marlborough, East Hartford, Manchester, and the surrounding Hartford County area will find a clinically integrated, assessment-driven approach at Bray Chiropractic & Wellness.
No referral is required. New patients can schedule directly online or by calling or texting (203) 303-4760. Bray Chiropractic & Wellness is in-network with Aetna, Anthem BCBS, Cigna (ASH), and CT Medicaid (Husky) for chiropractic and pelvic floor services. Dry needling is available as part of an integrated care visit.