If you’re experiencing neck pain in Charlotte, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to live with it. As a chiropractor who combines modern diagnostics with evidence-based treatment options, I’ve seen firsthand how dry needle therapy can bring real relief. But the key to effective treatment starts with a proper diagnosis.
Neck Pain: Diagnosing Before Treating
Before considering any therapy—especially something as precise as dry needling—it’s essential to understand the true cause of your neck pain. Not all neck pain is created equal. First, I rule out red flags such as neurological compromise, underlying systemic illness, infection, or fracture. These are rare but important to identify, and they require urgent or alternative medical intervention.
Once those are ruled out, we can dive into the real work of pinpointing the source of pain. Is your neck pain mechanical from poor posture, repetitive strain, or muscle imbalances? Could it be stress-related tension? Or might it stem from something physiological like joint dysfunction or myofascial trigger points?
To answer these questions, I use a combination of clinical examination and functional movement screening. This allows me to evaluate how your neck, shoulders, and upper back move together. Assessing your biomechanics helps differentiate between chronic, long-standing pain—where compensations and muscle dysfunction develop over time—and acute pain that might stem from a recent injury or poor sleep posture.
What Is Dry Needle Therapy?
Dry needle therapy involves inserting a very thin monofilament needle into a myofascial trigger point—essentially a tight, irritated band of muscle—to release tension, reduce pain, and improve function. It’s different from acupuncture in intent and application; while acupuncture focuses on energy meridians, dry needling is all about targeting muscle dysfunction.
Evidence for Dry Needle Therapy in Chronic Neck Pain
Let’s talk science. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis looked at nine randomized controlled trials involving patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. The results were impressive: dry needling significantly improved the pressure pain threshold, neck disability scores, and cervical range of motion—especially in flexion and right rotation. In other words, patients felt less pain and could move their necks more freely.
Another study zoomed in on where dry needling was applied. It compared the results of deep dry needling on activemyofascial trigger points, latent ones, and non-trigger point locations. Unsurprisingly, the greatest reduction in pain and improvement in function came from treating the active trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle—confirming the importance of precise diagnosis and targeted application.
A third meta-analysis supports these findings across a broader patient population. It concluded that dry needling is more effective than other therapies in both men and women and particularly beneficial for those over 40. These effects held up in both short- and mid-term outcomes, with no serious adverse effects reported.
When I use dry needling as part of trigger point therapy, I often see what’s called a “local twitch response.” This is a quick contraction of the muscle, signaling that the trigger point is releasing. This response helps reduce pain, improve mobility, and increase blood flow to the affected area, which promotes healing.
Dry needling can be particularly effective for trigger points that are deeply embedded in muscle tissue or that don’t respond well to manual pressure. While the idea of needles may sound intimidating, the process is minimally invasive, and most patients feel little more than a slight pinch during treatment.
Beyond Needles: Comprehensive Care Matters
While dry needle therapy can be a game-changer, it works best as part of a multi-modal treatment plan. That’s why I often combine it with other therapies at my Charlotte clinic:
Shockwave therapy is excellent for breaking up scar tissue and stimulating tissue regeneration in stubborn, chronic cases.
Red laser therapy, particularly our Class IV dual-wavelength laser, reduces inflammation and speeds up cellular repair at a deep tissue level.
Active Release Technique (ART) helps manually release adhered soft tissue and restore mobility to muscles and fascia.
Chiropractic adjustments restore proper joint alignment and reduce mechanical stress on the neck.
Each of these modalities serves a purpose, and together they offer a synergistic effect—helping you heal faster and stay pain-free longer.
Get Relief with Dry Needle Therapy in Charlotte
If you’re struggling with neck pain and want a solution grounded in science and delivered with care, I invite you to schedule a consultation at Simply Move Chiropractic. With detailed assessment, targeted dry needling, and a comprehensive treatment approach, we’ll get you moving—and feeling—better.
