Dry Needling Therapy in Greenville, SC
Dry Needling Therapy at IHP Greenville. Dr. Hendry, DAOM — NCBAHM-certified, 25+ yrs experience, hospital-credentialed. Call (864) 365-6156.
"Excellent. I was a skeptic and informed Dr. Hendry of such. I have a broken neck from a racing accident over 40 plus years ago. The results have been remarkable and I am a believer in acupuncture."
— Michael F. McLeod · April 2015 · Google Review
You probably know exactly where your trigger point is. You've been pressing on it. It sends pain up your neck, down your shoulder, or into your lower back depending on where it lives. That referred pain pattern is one of the defining characteristics of a myofascial trigger point — a localized patch of muscle in sustained involuntary contraction where circulation has broken down, inflammatory byproducts have accumulated (bradykinin, substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide), and normal neuromuscular signaling has failed.
Dry needling addresses it directly. A hair-thin filiform needle inserted into the exact center of that knot causes a brief, involuntary muscle twitch — a local twitch response — that signals the contracted sarcomere has released. The tissue chemistry normalizes. Referred pain diminishes, often immediately.
People ask about the difference between dry needling and acupuncture, since both use the same needle. The distinction is framework. Dry needling operates from Western neuromusculoskeletal anatomy: I'm targeting specific muscles and myofascial structures identified through physical examination and palpation. Acupuncture targets classical acupoints along meridian channels to address systemic patterns of imbalance. My training covers both. For a lot of patients — particularly those with pain that has both a structural and a systemic component — the answer is to use both in the same session. That's a capability that requires substantial, separate training in each system.
How Dry Needling Therapy Works
After palpating your muscles to identify active trigger points, Dr. Hendry inserts a sterile, fine-gauge needle directly into the knot. A local twitch response (LTR) — a brief, involuntary muscle twitch — confirms the point has been engaged. Needles may remain in place for several minutes, or Dr. Hendry may use a "pistoning" technique (small in-and-out movements) to elicit multiple twitch responses in a stubborn trigger point.
For chronic, deep, or resistant trigger points, Dr. Hendry may connect the needles to a gentle electrical current via electroacupuncture — this extends the neuromuscular reset effect and is particularly useful for post-surgical scar tissue, nerve entrapment syndromes, and long-standing myofascial pain. Sessions typically last 45–60 minutes including assessment and post-treatment stretching guidance.
Conditions Treated with Dry Needling Therapy
Dry Needling vs. Trigger Point Injections vs. Massage
Trigger point injections (TPI) use a hypodermic needle and an injected anesthetic or saline to treat myofascial pain — effective, but requiring a physician and carrying risks of systemic medication effects. Massage therapy (especially deep tissue) manually manipulates trigger points without needles — helpful for accessible, superficial muscles but limited in depth and specificity. Dry needling reaches deeper tissue layers, elicits a physiological twitch response that passive manual techniques cannot, and can deactivate multiple trigger points in a single session. Unlike TPI, dry needling requires no injectate — it works entirely through the mechanical and neurological effects of the needle itself. Clinical comparisons show dry needling produces equivalent or superior outcomes to TPI for most myofascial pain conditions, without injection-related risks.
Research & Evidence
A 2021 systematic review in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT) found dry needling significantly reduces pain and improves function in patients with myofascial pain syndrome and chronic neck and shoulder pain, with effects maintained at 3-month follow-up. A 2016 Cochrane review found dry needling effective for short-term relief of chronic low back pain. Research from Simons, Travell & Simons' foundational "Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction" textbook established the trigger point model that underpins dry needling science, describing how trigger points generate characteristic referred pain patterns throughout the body. Dr. Hendry uses Simons' referred pain maps in combination with classical Chinese acupuncture channel theory to achieve outcomes that neither system alone can match.
Cost & Insurance Information
Dry needling sessions are priced based on session length and region(s) treated. Initial evaluation and treatment sessions are longer and priced accordingly. We can provide superbills for out-of-network insurance reimbursement. Some insurance plans cover dry needling under physical therapy or chiropractic benefits — verify with your insurer using CPT codes 97140 (manual therapy) and 97810 (acupuncture). Call (864) 365-6156 for current pricing at our Greenville, SC office.
Treatment Timeline
Your First Appointment
Your first dry needling appointment runs approximately 60–75 minutes. Wear or bring shorts and a loose top — Dr. Hendry will need access to the muscles being treated. Bring any recent imaging (MRI, X-rays) or physical therapy reports so he can integrate prior findings into your assessment. Avoid vigorous exercise the day of treatment and drink plenty of water both before and after. Mild post-treatment soreness (similar to a hard workout) is common and typically resolves in 24–48 hours; applying ice or heat to the treated area helps.
Why Dr. Hendry for Dry Needling Therapy
Dr. Hendry's dual training in acupuncture and dry needling gives him a three-dimensional understanding of how needles affect the neuromuscular system. His co-authorship of the Prisma Health opioid alternative ER study — which examined needling techniques in acute pain scenarios — demonstrates his advanced needle expertise in demanding clinical environments. With over 25 years of clinical practice and hospital privileges at Prisma Health, he brings surgical-level precision and clinical judgment to every dry needling session.