972.444.0660 
Dry Needling in Dallas - Fast & Natural Relief for Muscle Pain / Tension
Loosen Stiff Muscles, Relieve Pain, and Restore Movement
Discover how our licensed acupuncture experts at AIMC Dallas use advanced dry needling techniques to relieve muscle knots, improve mobility, and restore comfort—naturally and safely.
Dry needling is a targeted therapy that uses very thin, sterile needles to release tight muscles, relieve pain, and restore healthy movement. While it may look similar to acupuncture, dry needling is based on modern Western anatomy and focuses specifically on trigger points—those deep, knotted areas in your muscles that can cause pain, tension, or even refer discomfort to other parts of the body.
The technique works by inserting a needle directly into the tight or dysfunctional muscle tissue. This stimulates a healing response: muscles twitch, blood flow increases, and the nervous system begins to “reset” the area. The result? Relief from chronic tension, reduced inflammation, and better mobility—often in just a few sessions.
Whether you're recovering from an injury, living with chronic pain, or dealing with stubborn tightness that just won’t go away, dry needling can offer meaningful, long-lasting relief.
How Does Dry Needling Work?
When muscles become overused, stressed, or injured, they can form tight, irritable bands known as trigger points. These are those tender “knots” you can often feel under the skin—areas that may ache constantly or cause referred pain in nearby parts of the body. Dry needling targets these trigger points directly.
During treatment, a tiny needle is gently inserted into the affected muscle. This often causes a local twitch response—a brief, involuntary contraction of the muscle—which is a good sign the needle has hit a trigger point. This twitch helps reset the muscle, encouraging it to relax and release.
The needle also stimulates blood flow, bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients into the area and helping to flush out metabolic waste. This process supports natural healing, reduces inflammation, and improves overall muscle function.
Dry needling also works on a neurological level: it helps “retrain” the nervous system, calming down overactive pain signals and encouraging smoother, more coordinated movement.
How Is Dry Needling Different from Acupuncture?
While dry needling and acupuncture may look similar on the surface, their origins and treatment goals are quite distinct. Dry needling is rooted in modern Western anatomy and focuses specifically on releasing tight muscles and trigger points—the small knots that restrict motion and cause pain. It’s primarily used to treat neuromuscular issues such as sciatica, shoulder tension, or sports-related injuries by stimulating a healing response within the muscle tissue.
Acupuncture, on the other hand, comes from traditional Eastern medicine and is based on balancing the body’s energy pathways. Licensed acupuncturists like Dr. Chapa are uniquely trained in both systems, allowing them to blend the best of each approach—using anatomical precision from dry needling with the holistic wisdom of acupuncture. This integrative method not only relieves pain at the muscular level but also restores balance throughout the entire body, supporting faster recovery and long-term wellness.
Who Can Benefit From Dry Needling?
Dry needling offers relief for a wide range of pain and movement issues by addressing the underlying muscle tension that contributes to discomfort. It’s especially effective for neck and shoulder tightness, lower back pain, and sciatica—conditions often linked to deep-seated trigger points that restrict motion and irritate nerves. Many athletes and active individuals also turn to dry needling to recover from sports injuries, tendonitis, or repetitive strain, as it helps the muscles relax and heal faster.
Beyond muscle pain, this therapy supports people living with chronic tension, headaches, migraines, or fibromyalgia by calming overactive pain signals in the nervous system. It can also ease post-surgical stiffness, improve scar tissue mobility, and relieve TMJ or jaw pain caused by stress and clenching. By restoring healthy muscle function and blood flow, dry needling not only reduces pain but helps your body move and perform more freely—so you can get back to feeling like yourself again.
These are some ways that our patients experience relief from our dry needling treatments:
Still not sure if dry needling is right for you?
Schedule your personalized consultation with our team and get expert guidance on hoe dry needling can support your specific lifestyle.
Dr. Chapa has the Highest Level of Training and Certification
Dr. Chapa has received the highest level of training in dry needling, having studied at Jaseng Hospital, which is internationally renowned for integrating the best of Eastern and Western non-surgical medicine. He has also completed the prestigious dry needling and trigger point course offered by Myopain Seminars, taught by Dr. Jan Dommerholt, the founder and creator of dry needling.
In 2019, Dr. Chapa further advanced his expertise by completing a 100-hour advanced class—the highest training available for holistic practitioners. This makes him one of the few acupuncturists in the United States to have achieved the highest certification in dry needling from both Eastern and Western training programs.
Unlike practitioners who attend brief weekend courses, Dr. Chapa has dedicated several years specifically to mastering dry needling and trigger point therapy, and he continues to enhance his skills through ongoing training in South Korea throughout the year.
Licensed vs. Certified Acupuncturists
| Dry Needle / Certified Acupuncturist | Licensed Acupuncturist MOST QUALIFIED |
|---|---|
| Certified physician or chiropractors with as little as 50 hours of training | Licensed acupuncturists (LAc) with an average of 2,700+ hours of master’s-level training |
| Training often comprised of home study and/or weekend seminars | Master’s-level, on-site training at a nationally accredited school or college of acupuncture |
| Minimal clinical experience in acupuncture or no actual patient treatments before certification | Hundreds of hours of clinical experience and at least 250 actual patient treatments before licensure |
| Not required to complete the national certification examination to prove competency in acupuncture | Required to pass the national certification exam in acupuncture (NCCAOM) in order to become licensed |
| Not required to regularly complete continuing education courses | Required to do regular continuing education to maintain national certification |
If you’ve been struggling with muscle pain, tension, or stiffness that just won’t quit—despite massages, stretches, or painkillers—it’s time to discover a smarter way to heal. Dry needling is a breakthrough therapy that targets the root cause of your discomfort by releasing those stubborn muscle knots and resetting your body’s natural healing system. It’s fast, effective, and drug-free—giving you real relief without the risks or downtime of surgery or medications.
Don’t settle for living with pain or limited movement any longer. With expert care, dry needling can help you reclaim your freedom, restore your strength, and get back to the life you love. If you’re ready for lasting relief and a true reset, this could be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.
FAQ's from Our Patients about Dry Needling
A: Dry needling is a modern therapeutic technique that uses very fine, sterile needles to release tight muscle bands known as trigger points. When inserted into the affected muscle, the needle causes a small “twitch” response that increases blood flow, reduces inflammation, and resets the muscle’s natural tone—helping relieve pain and improve movement.
A: While both therapies use fine needles, their approaches differ. Dry needling is based on Western anatomy and targets specific muscle trigger points. Acupuncture is rooted in Eastern medicine and focuses on restoring the body’s energetic balance. At AIMC, Dr. Chapa integrates both systems for a more complete and lasting healing effect.
A: Yes—when performed by a licensed acupuncturist like Dr. Chapa, who has over 30 years of clinical experience and advanced certification in dry needling. The needles are sterile, single-use, and extremely thin, and the procedure has minimal side effects when done by a trained professional.
A: Most patients describe the sensation as a quick twitch or mild cramp when the needle hits a trigger point, followed by a feeling of release or warmth. Soreness may occur for a day or two—similar to a good workout—but it’s a sign your muscles are healing.
A: Stay hydrated, move gently, and avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours. Light stretching, rest, and magnesium-rich foods can help your muscles recover and maintain flexibility.
A: Massage and chiropractic care treat the body from the outside, while dry needling targets deep muscle fibers and neuromuscular trigger points directly. This deeper stimulation often provides faster, longer-lasting relief for stubborn pain patterns.
A: Absolutely. Many athletes use dry needling to reduce muscle fatigue, prevent injury, and recover faster after intense training. It’s especially helpful for hamstrings, calves, shoulders, and hips—areas prone to tightness and overuse.
A: If you’ve tried massage, physical therapy, or medication without lasting relief, dry needling may be the missing piece. It’s safe, drug-free, and effective for both acute injuries and chronic pain. The best way to know is to schedule a consultation at AIMC Dallas, where Dr. Chapa can assess your condition and design a plan for lasting relief.
Experience Relief in Minutes with our Advanced Dry Needling!
AIMC IRVING
1320 W Walnut Hill Ln
Irving, Texas 75038