At River City Sport and Spine in New Braunfels, TX, our mission is to help patients move better, feel better, and live better through modern, evidence-based care. One of the most effective and innovative therapy techniques we offer is Trigger Point Dry Needling (TDN)—a proven approach for relieving musculoskeletal pain, improving mobility, and restoring proper movement patterns.
Used by chiropractors, licensed physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals worldwide, dry needling targets the underlying cause of muscle dysfunction to support true, long-term healing. Whether you’re struggling with low back pain, neck pain, or lingering tension from sports injuries, this treatment can make a profound difference in your comfort, recovery, and quality of life.
What is Trigger Point Dry Needling?
Trigger Point Dry Needling is a Western medicine–based intervention designed to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. It involves inserting filament needles—very fine, sterile, solid needles—into affected muscles to release bands, or trigger points, of skeletal muscle and surrounding fascia that can cause pain, stiffness, and referred discomfort.
Unlike injections, this technique is considered intramuscular, meaning the needle penetrates the muscle tissue without introducing any substances— earning the name “dry” needling.. The goal is to stimulate a healing response in the muscle and nervous system, not to medicate the area.
IT'S NOT ACUPUNCTURE
While dry needling and acupuncture share the use of thin needles, they come from very different backgrounds. Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and focuses on balancing energy flow along meridians. Dry needling, on the other hand, is founded in orthopaedic and Western medicine principles and supported by systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials demonstrating its effectiveness in treating musculoskeletal and myofascial pain.
At River City Sport and Spine, our providers use dry needling as part of an integrated approach to sports medicine, chiropractic care, and orthopedic rehabilitation—targeting muscles, nerves, and connective tissue to reduce pain and restore function.
TARGETING THE "KNOTS"
When muscles become overused or injured, they can develop trigger points, often referred to as “knots.” These small areas of contraction can limit blood flow, irritate nerves, and create referred pain that radiates to other regions of the body.
Dry needling precisely targets these affected muscles and the surrounding subcutaneous tissue to deactivate the trigger points. By inserting a filament needle into the tight band, your provider stimulates a localized twitch response that helps release tension and normalize the muscle’s function—improving movement and reducing pain throughout the entire region.
How Does Dry Needling Work to Relieve Pain?
THE "TWITCH" RESPONSE
When a needle penetrates a trigger point, the muscle fibers often contract involuntarily—a sign called the twitch response. This reflex helps break the pain-spasm cycle and resets the muscle to its normal resting length.
Research, including randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews, supports that the twitch response plays a vital role in restoring proper muscle tone and reducing myofascial pain. Patients often feel immediate relief and improved movement following treatment.
Dry needling works through several interconnected physiological mechanisms involving the muscular, neurological, and circulatory systems. By directly stimulating trigger points within the skeletal muscle, the treatment encourages healing and relaxation.
Releasing Tension and Improving Blood Flow
Trigger points restrict circulation and can trap metabolic waste within the muscle and fascia, perpetuating inflammation and muscle soreness. By releasing these points, dry needling promotes improved blood flow, oxygenation, and nutrient delivery to the affected muscle, enhancing the body’s ability to repair itself.
This technique also triggers natural pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory responses, including activation of the immune system and release of endorphins. For certain patients, electrical stimulation may be applied through the needles to increase the treatment effect, further reducing pain and muscle tightness.
Dry needling is effective for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, from acute injuries to chronic pain syndromes. At River City Sport and Spine, we often combine it with chiropractic adjustments, manual therapy, and corrective exercises to address both the symptoms and root causes of pain.
What Conditions Can Dry Needling Help With?
Beyond Just Muscle Pain
While dry needling is well-known for treating muscle soreness, it’s also beneficial for many orthopedic and sports medicine conditions, including:
- Neck pain, whiplash, & tension headaches
- Low back pain & sciatica
- Shoulder & rotator cuff injuries
- Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, & other overuse injuries
- TMJ (jaw) dysfunction
- Postural strain & repetitive stress injuries
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Recovery from orthopaedic surgery or injury
- Knee pain, IT band syndrome, & plantar fasciitis
Because dry needling restores normal movement patterns and muscle function, it is especially valuable for athletes, active adults, and patients referred by their primary care providers seeking non-invasive, research-backed interventions.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR FIRST DRY NEEDLING SESSION
AT RIVER CITY SPORT & SPINE IN NEW BRAUNFELS, TX
BEFORE YOUR SESSION
Before beginning treatment, your provider will conduct a thorough orthopaedic assessment to identify the affected muscles and determine whether dry needling is the best option for you. We may also review imaging, discuss your medical history, and coordinate with your primary care physician or physical therapist if you’ve received a referral for care.
You’ll learn how dry needling fits into your comprehensive treatment plan, which might also include manual therapy, electrical stimulation, or specific rehabilitation exercises to support long-term results.
DURING YOUR SESSION
During treatment, a licensed chiropractor or physical therapist inserts a fine, sterile filament needle into the identified trigger point or subcutaneous tissue surrounding it. You may feel a quick twitch or deep ache—an indication that the affected muscle is responding.
Depending on your condition, your provider might use additional therapy techniques, such as gentle movement or electrical stimulation, to enhance the treatment effect. The entire process is typically well-tolerated and lasts between 15–30 minutes.
AFTER YOUR SESSION
It’s common to feel mild muscle soreness or fatigue after your session—similar to the feeling after a challenging workout. This temporary discomfort is a sign of your muscles healing and adapting.
Your provider will offer aftercare instructions, which may include light stretching, hydration, and movement to keep the fascia and muscles relaxed. Most patients notice improved range of motion, reduced pain, and better overall quality of life after just a few sessions.
IS DRY NEEDLING SAFE?
When performed by experienced, licensed physical therapists or chiropractors, dry needling is considered safe and effective. At River City Sport and Spine, we maintain strict protocols to eliminate any risk of infection.
Mild side effects may include temporary bruising, light bleeding, or muscle soreness at the needle site. These typically resolve within 24–48 hours. Serious complications are extremely rare, particularly when treatment is administered by trained healthcare professionals who understand human anatomy in detail.
We always review your medical history and ensure dry needling is appropriate for your condition before beginning care, prioritizing your comfort and safety at every step.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS & PRECAUTIONS
If you’re living with chronic pain, muscle tightness, or limited mobility, and haven’t found lasting relief through other methods, Trigger Point Dry Needling could be the key to your recovery.
At River City Sport and Spine, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all treatment. Our providers use a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach—combining dry needling, chiropractic care, sports medicine, and rehabilitation techniques to help your body heal naturally.
Whether you’ve been referred by your primary care provider, are working with a physical therapist, or are simply exploring interventions for your pain, our team will take the time to understand your goals and design a personalized treatment plan that gets results.
Is Dry Needling the Right Treatment for You?
Experience Lasting Relief with Trigger Point Dry Needling
IN NEW BRAUNFELS, TX
At River City Sport and Spine, we’re proud to offer Trigger Point Dry Needling as part of our comprehensive approach to orthopedic and musculoskeletal care. By integrating cutting-edge therapy techniques with compassionate, patient-centered service, we help our patients reduce pain, restore function, and reclaim their quality of life—without unnecessary procedures or costly, mandatory long-term treatment packages.
If you’re ready to move better, feel better, and live pain-free, schedule a consultation with River City Sport and Spine in New Braunfels, TX today. Our expert team will guide you through every step, ensuring safe, effective, and lasting results.
River City Sport and Spine, Your trusted partner for dry needling, chiropractic care, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation in New Braunfels, TX—where modern healthcare meets genuine care and proven results.
