Dry Needling Physical Therapy
How does Dry Needling aid Physical Therapy?
What is dry needling?
Dry needling is a pain-relieving technique using a tiny acupuncture needle. The needle is inserted at points of the body that are constantly tight, creating pain relief that many patients never thought possible. The needles can treat deep parts of the muscles- areas that are often difficult to reach with massage. They cause a “twitch” response – a brief contraction followed by sustained relaxation. This response can “deactivate” painful, knotted areas in the muscles.
Benefits of Dry Needling Therapy
Dry needling therapy, at times, is included in a complete treatment plan aimed at relieving pain and promoting mobility. It is a technique that aims at trigger points in the muscles and relaxes the muscles as well as increases the movement. Studies demonstrate that the method of dry needling can not only be a pain killer but also facilitate the communication between nerves and muscles, thus decreasing the time for recovery.
Moreover, physical therapists are trained in-depth about anatomy and modalities of treatment including some extra specialization for performing dry needling therapy. When you decide to get dry needling, always ask about your therapist’s qualifications and experience.
What can dry needling treat?
The dry needling technique can help relieve pain in most muscles, including jaw pain, shoulder pain, hamstring tension, and golfer’s elbow. It can improve blood flow, speed healing time, and help rid muscles of deep knots that other techniques cannot reach. Dry needling leads to many of the same results as massage, but at a deeper level. For a patient that has experienced results with massage, but found them to be short-lived, dry needling may be a good option. It can also complement massage therapy.
Who Shouldn’t Get Dry Needling Therapy?
Not every patient can benefit from dry needling therapy. The method is inappropriate for children under the age of 12 because of the possible pain factor involved. In case of a child considering it, you must always talk to a medical professional first and start with other non-invasive approaches. Furthermore, some patients need to discuss with their doctors before undergoing dry needling therapy like people who are:
- Pregnant
- Not able to comprehend the treatment properly
- Scared of needles (trypanophobia)
- Have weak immunity
- Had tracheostomy recently
- Are on anticoagulants
How does dry needling work?
Dry needling is not acupuncture – it is based strictly on Western medical principles and research. However, it is sometimes used within the context of an acupuncture practice. According to research by Dr. Jay Shah at the National Institutes of Health, inserting a needle into trigger points can lead to biochemical changes that reduce pain. The biochemical changes can help lead to the essential twitch response, which is the first step in breaking the cycle of pain.
Will the procedure hurt?
Because the needle is so small, it does not hurt the way a larger hollow needle does when puncturing the skin. Most patients describe the sensations as “releasing” or “pressure.” The needle remains in the skin for a very short amount of time – just enough to relax the muscle. There may be a small amount of pain, which some patients describe as a slight shock or a cramping sensation, but it is well worth the lasting relief that dry needling causes.
How will I feel after the session?
The muscles treated will likely feel sore, the way they do after challenging exercise. This is because the needle has caused them to contract numerous times in quick succession in order to relax them. Patients may feel fatigued, but not so much that it interferes with everyday activities. Some patients find it helpful to treat the area with heat or ice if there is soreness. After just a couple of sessions, most feel lasting relief from pain.
How often will I need to return to maintain my progress?
Usually, a dry needling treatment is repeated every five or six days until the pain cycle is broken. The first cycle will focus on just a few key muscles. Then, as the body becomes more used to the sensations, the treatment is fine-tuned to be as effective as possible. The technique is not a quick fix; instead it is a process that will help break the pain cycle. Once the pain cycle is broken, other treatment options are introduced to help prevent future problems.
Have Questions?
Let us know if you have any questions about your treatment, our practice and whatever else is on your mind. We are here to help and we look forward to serving you!
Hip Pain Treatment
Hip Pain Treatment with Physical Therapy
Relieve Pain & Restore Hip Mobility
Hip pain limits walking, climbing stairs, and sleep. Our Fort Lee physical therapists pinpoint the cause and restore your mobility with hands-on expert care.
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Expert Hip Pain Treatment in Bergen County, NJ
Hip pain affects millions of adults and can arise from structures within the joint itself or the surrounding soft tissues. From arthritis and labral tears to bursitis and hip flexor strains, the hip is subject to a wide range of conditions that respond well to evidence-based physical therapy.
Fort Lee Physical Therapy provides comprehensive hip evaluation and rehabilitation for all age groups. Hip pain has many faces: groin pain, lateral hip pain, and deep buttock pain, and each requires a different treatment approach.
Our Hip Pain Clinic in NJ conducts a thorough regional examination to identify the exact source before any treatment begins.
What Is Hip Pain?
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint formed by the head of the femur and the acetabulum of the pelvis. It is surrounded by powerful muscle groups (gluteals, hip flexors, adductors, deep rotators), important bursae, the labrum (a ring of cartilage deepening the socket), and critical nerves including the sciatic nerve.
Pain in the hip region can arise from any of these structures or can be referred from the lumbar spine or sacroiliac joint.
Common Symptoms
- Groin pain, lateral hip pain, or deep buttock pain
- Pain that worsens with walking, prolonged sitting, or climbing stairs
- Stiffness that limits hip rotation (putting on shoes or socks)
- A clicking, snapping, or locking sensation in the hip
- Night pain that disrupts sleep
- Limping or altered gait to protect the painful hip
Hip pain is the third most common musculoskeletal complaint in adults — and physical therapy is the most effective conservative treatment for the majority of hip conditions, from bursitis to mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis.
How We Treat Hip Pain in Fort Lee, NJ?
We conduct a thorough movement and strength assessment to identify the specific hip structure involved, then design an individualized program. Core and gluteal strengthening, hip mobility work, manual therapy, and movement retraining form the foundation of our hip rehabilitation programs.
Gluteal & Core Strengthening
Progressive exercises targeting the gluteus medius and maximus that stabilize the hip and reduce joint loading.
Hip Joint Mobilization
Hands-on joint mobilization techniques that restore hip internal rotation, flexion, and extension range of motion.
Gait Retraining
Correcting the compensatory gait patterns that develop with hip pain and that can cause secondary knee and back pain.
Functional Movement Retraining
Squat, lunge, and step mechanics training that distributes load optimally through the hip complex.
Our Hip Pain Clinic in NJ serves patients with hip osteoarthritis, labral tears, bursitis, tendinopathy, and hip flexor strains, all under one roof with condition-specific protocols. Patients from Englewood, Teaneck, and Hackensack appreciate our comprehensive approach and convenient Fort Lee location.
Moving Freely Again
At our Hip Pain Clinic NJ, most hip conditions respond well to 6–10 weeks of structured physical therapy. We provide a comprehensive home program and return-to-activity guidance to maintain your progress.
Serving Bergen County & Beyond: Fort Lee Physical Therapy provides hip pain rehabilitation to patients across Bergen County — from Fort Lee and Edgewater to Englewood and Ridgefield — as well as patients from Washington Heights and Inwood, NY.
Fort Lee Physical Therapy is Bergen County’s hip rehabilitation specialist. Our hip pain treatment restores pain-free movement, whether your goal is walking the dog or returning to competitive sport. For more questions, please call (201) 585-7300.
Other Services Provided by Fort Lee PT
Physical therapy aims to reduce pain, improve movement, and restore function. It uses a combination of treatment methods to support healing and recovery. Physical therapy is often recommended for injuries or medical conditions that limit mobility and make daily activities more difficult.
Meet our team
Doctorate-level therapists who build a plan around your specific injury and goals.
Conditions we treat
Back, knee, shoulder, hip and more. Find the condition that matches your pain.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hip Pain Treatment
Hip joint pain typically presents as groin or deep hip pain, with limited rotation. Bursitis and tendinopathy typically present as lateral hip or buttock pain. Your PT will use specific movement tests and palpation to identify the source.
Yes — for hip osteoarthritis, PT can significantly reduce pain and improve function, often delaying or avoiding the need for surgery. Even for patients who eventually need hip replacement, pre-operative PT improves post-surgical outcomes.
Night hip pain is common in hip osteoarthritis, trochanteric bursitis, and labral tears. It is often positional — sleeping on the affected side or in certain positions — and can be managed with positioning strategies and appropriate PT.
Yes — hip and spine problems frequently co-exist and can each contribute to the other. Reduced hip mobility forces compensatory increased lumbar spine motion, which can irritate the spine. Your PT will assess both regions.
A painless hip click or snap is usually benign — often caused by the iliotibial band or iliopsoas tendon snapping over a bony prominence. Painful clicking that occurs deep in the hip may suggest labral pathology and warrants assessment.
Yes, with modifications. Your PT will identify specific movements in your routine that may be aggravating your hip and replace them with corrective alternatives. Staying active is encouraged, as the goal is to keep you moving safely while the hip recovers.