Dry needling has become a common option for muscle pain in Casper, but a lot of first-time patients walk in unsure what to expect. At Martens Chiropractic, we hear the same questions before nearly every first session: Will it hurt? Is it acupuncture? How sore will I be tomorrow? Here are seven things to know before your first dry needling appointment, followed by five Casper chiropractic offices you can contact.
What should you know before your first dry needling appointment?
1. What is dry needling?
Dry needling uses thin, solid needles inserted into myofascial trigger points, the tight, tender knots in a muscle that can cause local or referred pain. It’s called “dry” because nothing is injected. The goal is to release tension in the muscle, and practitioners often look for a quick involuntary contraction called a local twitch response.
2. How is dry needling different from acupuncture?
The needles look similar, but the reasoning is different. Dry needling is based on Western anatomy and targets specific muscles and trigger points. Traditional acupuncture is based on Chinese medicine and meridians. Some clinics, including ours, offer dry needling alongside acupuncture techniques such as trigger point and ear acupuncture.
3. Does dry needling hurt?
Most people feel the needle going in only slightly. The twitch response can feel like a brief cramp or deep ache in the muscle, which usually fades within seconds. Tell your provider if anything feels sharp, hot, or electric, since that’s a sign to adjust the needle.
4. What happens at the first appointment?
Expect a conversation and an exam before any needles come out. Your provider will ask about your pain, health history, and medications, then check how the area moves. Wear loose clothing that lets the provider reach the area, and eat something beforehand, since an empty stomach can make some people lightheaded. Dry needling is often combined with an adjustment or soft tissue work in the same visit.
5. How sore will you be afterward?
Some soreness is normal, similar to the day after a hard workout. Research on post-needling soreness generally describes it lasting less than 72 hours, and minor bruising at a needle site can take two or three days to fade. Light movement and heat help many people; plan a lighter workout the next day.
6. Who should be cautious about dry needling?
Let your provider know if any of these apply:
- You take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder.
- You’re pregnant or think you might be.
- You have a strong fear of needles or a history of fainting.
- You have an infection, open wound, or recent surgery near the treatment area.
Serious complications are rare. A 2014 study of physiotherapists’ dry needling treatments estimated the upper risk of a significant adverse event at 0.04 percent or less. The most discussed serious risk, a collapsed lung, applies to needling near the chest wall.
7. How many sessions will you need, and what does it cost?
Some people feel a change after one visit; others need several sessions over a few weeks. Since 2020, dry needling has had its own billing codes, but insurance coverage varies widely, so ask about cost before your visit. Cash-pay pricing is common at chiropractic offices.
Where can you get chiropractic care in Casper?
- Martens Chiropractic (Dr. Luke Martens, DC)
- Casper Mountain Chiropractic
- Alpine Chiropractic
- Log Cabin Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
- Advanced Chiropractic Center
1. Martens Chiropractic (Dr. Luke Martens, DC)
Martens Chiropractic is a Casper practice led by Dr. Luke Martens, DC, at 4100 Sweetbrier St. The clinic offers dry needling, ASCI trigger point acupuncture, battlefield acupuncture, and spine and extremities care for the back, neck, shoulders, hips, and other joints.
For a first-time dry needling patient, that means one provider can examine the problem, explain whether needling makes sense, and combine it with an adjustment or soft tissue work when appropriate. For patients without insurance, the clinic lists a $60 new-patient special that includes an adjustment, with $40 adjustments after that. Results vary from person to person.
2. Casper Mountain Chiropractic
Casper Mountain Chiropractic is a chiropractic office in Casper.
3. Alpine Chiropractic
Alpine Chiropractic is a chiropractic office in Casper.
4. Log Cabin Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
Log Cabin Chiropractic & Rehabilitation is a chiropractic office in Casper.
5. Advanced Chiropractic Center
Advanced Chiropractic Center is a chiropractic office in Casper.
Walk in knowing what to expect
A first dry needling session is usually less intimidating than people expect. Know what it is, share your health history, eat beforehand, and plan for a day or two of mild soreness. If you’re dealing with a stubborn knot in your shoulder, neck, or back, ask a provider whether dry needling fits your situation before deciding.
