Dry Needling in Greenville, SC
Looking for sports-oriented needling to resolve pain and enhance performance?
Yep,
we do that too. Our Greenville based practice has extensive understanding of the biomechanics of the human body allowing us to target specific muscle trigger points and fascial adhesions with precision.
By releasing hyper-contracted muscle tissues, we can rapidly restore normal movement patterns. This treatment approach addresses muscle memory dysfunction and myofascial restrictions that cause persistent pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion.
Our goal is to get you back in the game without the need for pharmaceuticals or side effects. And if you just have a headache…it works great for that too.
Dry Needling vs Acupuncture: What’s the difference?
In short, all needling techniques came out of the development of Chinese medicine
thousands of years ago. Unearthed Chinese tombs dating to ancient times have
included “Acupuncture” needles in the belongings of the deceased. The history of
Chinese martial arts is full of references and writings regarding the use of needling for
trauma management and performance enhancement. There is also a significant body
of medical writings (some recent, some very old) discussing the use of needling
therapies for both internal medicine as well as for “external medicine”, the latter largely
related to the treatment of musculoskeletal problems.
You might be surprised to learn that long before the superficial, “needles as fine as a
hair” type acupuncture widely advertised today, the Chinese had already developed a
robust practice of needling for musculoskeletal injuries. Much of this needling style was
developed within the martial arts and uses a more aggressive approach than the type of
acupuncture practice typically encountered today. This type of needling is often referred
to as “Ashi” acupuncture because that’s what the Chinese patient exclaimed when the
doctor pushed on the injured area; in short “That’s it!” While some practitioners of
modern day “Dry Needling” claim that their bio-medically labeled needling approach is
different from Acupuncture, they are unfortunately mistaken because Chinese
practitioners had developed this style thousands of years ago. In fact, modern Dry
Needling even uses the same points as classical acupuncture as well as many of the
other physical medicine tools developed by the early Chinese doctors.
If you insert a needle into the same point on a body, use the same technique, and get
the same result, you are performing the same practice, regardless of the labels you use
to describe what you are doing.
Although we believe that the modern romanticized version of Chinese medicine was built on erroneous translations of early source documents, giving rise to concepts such as “Qi = energy” and “Meridians are squiggly lines of energy running along the surface of the skin”, we maintain that, as Shakespeare
once said:
“A rose by any other name is still a rose.”
💡 Trigger Point Discovery: One trigger point can refer pain to areas up to 12 inches away—your shoulder pain might actually be coming from a knot in your neck muscle.
What We Treat in Greenville
Consult your physician before combining with existing treatments for serious medical conditions
Sports Injuries
- IT band syndrome and runner's knee
- Tennis/golfer's elbow trigger points
- Rotator cuff impingement patterns
- Calf and hamstring tightness
Neck and Shoulder Tension
- Cervical trigger points causing headaches
- Upper trap and levator scapulae tightness
- Tech neck from computer work
- Whiplash-related muscle dysfunction
Back Pain Conditions
- Lumbar paraspinal trigger points
- Piriformis syndrome and sciatica
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Post-surgical muscle guarding
Chronic Pain Patterns
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Fibromyalgia tender points
- TMJ-related jaw muscle tension
- Chronic fatigue muscle dysfunction
🧠 Neural Reset: The "twitch response" during dry needling actually resets the neural circuit controlling that muscle, breaking the pain-spasm-pain cycle instantly.
What to Expect During Treatment
First Visit (45-60 minutes)
Dr. Hendry conducts movement assessment, identifies trigger point patterns, and explains how muscle dysfunction connects to your symptoms. He maps specific points contributing to your pain referral patterns.
Treatment Sessions
Sterile needles inserted directly into trigger points until local twitch response occurs. You'll feel brief muscle contractions followed by immediate relaxation. Sessions last 20-30 minutes depending on areas treated.
Timeline for Results
Most patients experience immediate pain relief during treatment. Muscle soreness for 24-48 hours is normal as tissues remodel. Chronic trigger points typically require 4-8 sessions over 6-8 weeks for lasting change.
Potential Side Effects
Mild muscle soreness lasting 1-2 days occurs in 80% of patients. Occasional light bruising at needle sites. Rare complications include pneumothorax if performed improperly—Dr. Hendry's medical training ensures safe technique.
🎯 Precision Targeting: Dry needling can release trigger points that have been locked in spasm for years within seconds—the muscle literally "jumps" as it releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does dry needling cost?
Typically ranges from $100-$200 per session based on practitioner credentials and treatment complexity. Dr. Hendry's comprehensive assessments and research-backed protocols reflect his 25 years of experience and advanced training. Call for specific pricing information.
Who is not a good candidate for dry needling?
Cannot receive: Severe bleeding disorders, blood thinners at therapeutic doses, active chemotherapy, extreme needle phobia, unstable psychiatric conditions
Need modifications: Pregnancy (avoid certain points), pacemakers (no electricity), children under 6, immunocompromised patients
Poor candidates: Those expecting instant cure, unwilling to complete treatment series, substance abuse during treatment
Does dry needling reduce inflammation?
Dr. Hendry's clinical experience suggests dry needling may help reduce inflammation naturally. Some patients report improvements similar to anti-inflammatory medications, though individual responses vary significantly. Results depend on your specific condition and overall health.
Safety & Compliance
All needles FDA-approved, sterile, single-use
Professional liability insurance maintained
Practice operates under SC Board of Medical Examiners oversight
Ready for Dry Needling in Greenville?
Call (864) 365-6156 to schedule your dry needling consultation at Integrative Health Partners, 319 Wade Hampton Blvd, Greenville, SC 29609.
During your first visit, Dr. Hendry will identify specific trigger points contributing to your pain and explain how his integrated approach addresses both symptoms and underlying causes. You'll understand why previous treatments may have provided only temporary relief.
Serving patients from Greenville, Greer, Simpsonville, Travelers Rest, and throughout the Upstate.