Dry Needling in Green Bay: What It Is, How It Works, and What to Expect
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a technique where a licensed physical therapist inserts thin, solid filament needles directly into myofascial trigger points — the tight, hypersensitive knots in muscle tissue that cause pain, restrict movement, and refer discomfort to other parts of the body.
The needle is "dry" because it contains no medication or injection. The therapeutic effect comes from the mechanical stimulation of the tissue itself.
When the needle reaches a trigger point, the goal is to elicit a local twitch response — a brief, involuntary muscle contraction. That twitch is a good sign. It indicates that the needle has engaged the trigger point and initiated a healing response: increased blood flow, disruption of the pain cycle, and a reduction in muscle hypertonicity.
*xx marks the area of the active trigger point in your upper trap. The red reflects the referral pattern.
*xx marks the area of the active trigger point in your infraspinatus. The red reflects the referral pattern.
How Is Dry Needling Different From Acupuncture?
This is the most common question we get. The short answer: they use similar tools but are completely different practices.
Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. It targets energy meridians based on a thousands-year-old philosophy of health and balance.
Dry needling is based on modern Western medicine and musculoskeletal research. Physical therapists who perform dry needling are trained in anatomy, neurophysiology, and biomechanics. We target specific muscles, trigger points, and dysfunctional tissue based on a clinical examination — not meridians.
Different philosophy. Different training. Different purpose. Both have their place. We practice dry needling.
The Two Techniques We Use at MVMT
Most clinics that offer dry needling use one approach. At MVMT, we use two — and we choose between them based on your specific condition and what we are trying to accomplish.
Piston Technique
The piston technique uses one needle at a time. Once the needle is inserted into the target trigger point, it is moved in a piston-like motion — up and down within the tissue — to repeatedly stimulate the trigger point and elicit the local twitch response. Each insertion lasts approximately 45 to 60 seconds.
Best for:
Acute or highly specific trigger points
Localized muscle tension
Patients who are new to dry needling and want to start gradually
Situations where precision and targeted release are the priority
The piston technique is direct and efficient. Most patients feel a brief cramping or twitching sensation that passes quickly.
Electrical Stimulation Technique (E-Stim Dry Needling)
The electrical stimulation technique uses two to four needles placed simultaneously in the target area, connected to a small electrical stimulation unit. The unit delivers a low-level current through the needles for five to ten minutes.
This is not something we walk away from. We are present the entire time — monitoring your response, adjusting the unit, and checking in throughout.
Best for:
Chronic muscle tension and deep tissue tightness
Neurological pain patterns
Patients who respond well to extended stimulation
Situations where we want to address a larger area or multiple points simultaneously
Which technique is right for you? We make that call based on your exam findings, your history, and what we are trying to accomplish. We explain our reasoning and make the decision together.
MVMT Performance & Rehabilitation clinician performing dry needling in Green Bay on a client
What Does Dry Needling Feel Like?
The needle itself is extremely thin — far smaller than a hypodermic needle. Most people do not feel the insertion at all.
What you will feel is the local twitch response — a brief, involuntary muscle contraction that some people describe as a cramping, twitching, or aching sensation. It lasts a second or two and then passes. Some areas of the body are more sensitive than others.
With the electrical stimulation technique, you will feel a pulsing or buzzing sensation from the current. We start low and adjust based on your comfort and response.
Most patients say it is significantly less uncomfortable than they expected. Many notice immediate changes in pain and range of motion following treatment.
Why We Never Use Dry Needling Alone
This is the most important thing we want you to understand about how we practice.
Dry needling reduces pain, releases tension, and improves tissue quality. What it does not do — and what no passive treatment does — is create lasting change on its own.
If we needle a tight muscle and send you home, the muscle will return to its previous state. The trigger points come back. The pain returns. You are in the same cycle.
At MVMT, dry needling is always used at the beginning of a visit and takes five to ten minutes. The rest of the session — typically 45 to 50 minutes — is spent in the gym doing strength and stability work specific to your condition and goals. The dry needling opens the door. The strength work walks through it.
Manual therapy paired with strength training is how we create lasting change. Every patient who receives dry needling at MVMT is in a complete plan of care that addresses the root cause of their pain, not just the symptoms.
Conditions We Commonly Treat With Dry Needling
We use dry needling for most musculoskeletal conditions, as long as the patient is comfortable with it. We walk through the pros and cons with every patient before we begin.
Common conditions:
Low back pain and sciatica
Neck pain and cervicogenic headaches
Shoulder pain and rotator cuff dysfunction
Hip flexor tightness and glute inhibition
IT band syndrome and knee pain
Plantar fasciitis and calf tightness
Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
Post-surgical recovery and scar tissue
Chronic muscle tension and myofascial pain
Running-related injuries and overuse conditions
CrossFit and training-related injuries
If you are unsure whether dry needling is appropriate for your condition, book a free 15-minute consultation and we will give you a straight answer.
Who Performs Dry Needling at MVMT?
Every licensed clinician on our team is trained and experienced in dry needling:
Trevor Folker, LAT, ATC — Co-owner
Erica Folker, DPT, PT — Co-owner, physical therapist
Tia — LAT, ATC
Nate — DPT, PT
You will always work with the same clinician throughout your plan of care. No rotating providers, no assistants, no being passed off to someone new.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first visit is a comprehensive evaluation. We assess your movement, strength, pain behavior, and history. We are looking for the root cause of your problem — not just where it hurts.
If dry needling is appropriate, we may introduce it during your first session or in an early follow-up visit based on what we find. We will always explain what we are doing and why before we do it.
Your sessions are 60 minutes, one-on-one, with a licensed physical therapist. No double-booking, no aides, no being shuffled between rooms.
FAQ
Is dry needling covered by insurance? MVMT is a cash-based, out-of-network clinic. We do not bill insurance directly. We can provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement. Our model allows us to spend 60 minutes with you every visit and focus on what you actually need — not what insurance will approve.
How many sessions will I need? Dry needling is part of your overall plan of care. Most patients experience meaningful improvement within the first two to four sessions. Total visit count depends on your condition, your goals, and how your body responds.
Does dry needling leave bruising or soreness? Some patients experience mild soreness in the needled area, similar to the feeling after a hard workout. This typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours. Bruising is uncommon but possible.
Can anyone get dry needling? Dry needling is appropriate for most adults with musculoskeletal conditions. We screen for contraindications during the evaluation and will never recommend it unless it is appropriate for your situation.
Do I need a referral to see a PT in Wisconsin? No. Wisconsin has direct access laws. You can book directly with MVMT without a physician's referral and begin treatment the same week.
Ready to Find Out If Dry Needling Is Right for You?
Book a free 15-minute consultation with one of our physical therapists. We will tell you honestly whether we can help and exactly what treatment would look like.
Or call us: 920-309-6588
MVMT Performance & Rehabilitation 933 Anderson Dr, Suite G, Green Bay, WI 54304 Serving Green Bay, De Pere, Ashwaubenon, Howard, Bellevue, and Allouez.
*This is helpful information, but it is general information. This is NOT medical advice. If you already have any injury, pain, tightness, etc., please seek help from a licensed and qualified healthcare provider like us, performance physical therapy in Green Bay. A complete solution for what you’re dealing with needs to be customized to all the different factors driving your pain, and those factors will be at least slightly different for each person. These strategies may help, but they’re not likely to be a complete solution for each individual reading this now or in the future.