Dry Needling
Dry needling is an evidence-based technique that uses a thin monofilament needle to release trigger points — hyperirritable spots in muscle tissue that cause local and referred pain. Unlike acupuncture, which is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, dry needling is grounded in Western neuroscience and musculoskeletal anatomy. The needle creates a local twitch response in the muscle, which releases tension, restores normal neuromuscular function, and reduces pain.
What the CDNS Credential Actually Means
Washington State's dry needling endorsement sets a formal training threshold before a physical therapist can practice this technique. Flourish clinicians exceed that standard through a multi-layered training background spanning both PT education and post-graduate coursework, and were among the first physical therapists endorsed under Washington's framework.
Â
The CDNS — Certified Dry Needling Specialist — credential represents 200+ hours of post-graduate training including advanced work on nerve proximity, hypermobility, and chronic pain presentations where standard protocols don't apply. Combined with a hypermobility-specialist lens, this shapes an approach to dry needling that is meaningfully different from routine trigger point work — because how a connective tissue body responds to needling requires a different clinical framework entirely.
Conditions Treated
Trigger point pain and muscle tension
Piriformis syndrome and sciatic-adjacent pain
Cervical instability and neck tension
TMJ and jaw pain
Hip flexor and deep hip rotator dysfunction
Plantar fasciitis and foot/ankle tension
Headaches with cervical origin
Chronic pain and nervous system sensitization
Hypermobility-related muscle guarding
Dry Needling for TMJ and Jaw Pain
Craniofacial dry needling — including the masseter, pterygoids, and surrounding jaw musculature — requires advanced training beyond standard certification. At Flourish, this includes treatment for patients whose jaw pain hasn't responded to dental care, and for the TMJ hypermobility that frequently occurs alongside EDS and cervical instability. This is a rare skill set in the Eastside PT community.
What to Expect
Sessions are 30 minutes and always follow a prior evaluation. Dry needling at Flourish is integrated into your broader plan of care — not a standalone service. During a session, the target muscle is identified through assessment, a thin monofilament needle is inserted to the point of a local twitch response, and the tissue is treated to reduce tension and restore normal function. Most patients feel a deep ache or brief twitch during treatment and meaningful relief within 24–48 hours. Needle phobia is common — let me know before your session and we'll work at your pace.
How It Fits Into Treatment
Dry needling is most effective as part of a comprehensive plan — not in isolation. At Flourish, it's used alongside manual therapy, movement retraining, and progressive strength work. A prior evaluation is required before any dry needling session so treatment is targeted to what your body actually needs.
Dry needling sessions are $90 / 30 minutes. Requires prior evaluation. HSA and FSA accepted.
Ready to Get Started?
Friday appointments available in Bellevue. Book your initial evaluation to get started.