If you’re struggling with ankle pain in Charlotte, NC, you’re not alone. Whether it’s a nagging injury from a run, lingering discomfort from an old sprain, or sharp pain when you first step out of bed, ankle pain can disrupt your daily life. At Simply Move Chiropractic, I take a comprehensive, one-on-one approach to uncovering the root cause of your ankle pain and helping you heal with effective, hands-on therapies—including dry needle therapy.
What Causes Ankle Pain?
Ankle pain can come from a variety of sources. Some of the most common conditions I see in my Charlotte clinic include:
Plantar fasciitis – Pain under the heel, often worse in the morning, due to inflammation of the plantar fascia.
Chronic ankle instability (CAI) – A common issue after repeated ankle sprains where the ligaments don’t fully recover, leading to instability and discomfort.
Achilles tendonitis – Inflammation or degeneration of the Achilles tendon, usually caused by overuse or poor mechanics.
Trigger points in the calf – Tight knots in the gastrocnemius or soleus muscles can refer pain into the ankle and foot, mimicking other conditions.
Treating ankle pain starts with identifying exactly which tissues are involved and why they’re under stress. That’s where a personalized exam and treatment plan comes in.
How Dry Needle Therapy Helps
Dry needling is a technique where a thin, sterile needle is inserted into tight muscle bands or trigger points to help release tension, reduce pain, and restore movement. For ankle pain, I often target the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus)and peroneal muscles—common sources of referred pain and stiffness that affect ankle function.
One randomized controlled trial looked specifically at women with plantar fasciitis and found that dry needling significantly reduced both plantar fascia thickness and pain levels, even one month after treatment. The treatment targeted trigger points in the calf, and while it didn’t significantly improve range of motion, the pain relief alone can be a game-changer for patients trying to get back on their feet.
Similarly, a review of dry needling for chronic ankle instability (CAI) showed promising short-term and mid-term benefits for reducing pain, improving postural control, and increasing function. However, the authors noted that the research is still developing, with inconsistent techniques and small sample sizes limiting long-term conclusions. More large-scale studies are needed to confirm its lasting benefits.
Why Short-Term Relief Still Matters
Even though dry needle therapy may not provide permanent relief on its own, the short-term benefits can be incredibly valuable. Reduced pain allows patients to move more freely, begin corrective exercises, and tolerate other hands-on treatments. In my office, dry needling often acts as the “reset button” we need to kickstart the healing process.
Once pain is under control, we can focus on the real work: improving ankle mobility, strengthening stabilizing muscles, and correcting movement patterns. At Simply Move Chiropractic, I often combine dry needling with:
Active Release Technique (ART) to break up adhesions in soft tissues
Manual chiropractic adjustments to restore joint mobility
Infrared laser therapy to reduce inflammation and support cellular healing
Cupping therapy for improved circulation and myofascial release
Rehab exercises and movement retraining tailored to your goals
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.
Your Charlotte NC Resource for Ankle Pain Relief
If you’re dealing with stubborn ankle pain in Charlotte, NC, don’t wait for it to go away on its own. The earlier we address it, the easier it is to recover and prevent long-term issues. Whether your pain started last week or last year, dry needle therapy combined with personalized chiropractic care can help you get back to doing what you love.
At Simply Move Chiropractic, every treatment is one-on-one and personalized—no cookie-cutter protocols or rushed appointments. If you’re curious about whether dry needling might help your ankle pain, I’d be happy to talk with you about your options and create a plan that works for your body and your lifestyle.
