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6 Ways Dry Needling Can Help During Winter

Dr. Nathan Teter • February 11, 2025

Are the cold winter months taking a toll on your body? 


Many people experience increased muscle tension, joint stiffness, and persistent aches during colder seasons. If you’re tired of letting winter discomfort slow you down, it might be time to consider dry needling. 


In this article, we’ll explain why winter can worsen pain, how dry needling works, and how it can become an integral part of your winter wellness routine. Keep reading, and discover actionable tips to stay pain-free, mobile, and ready to enjoy the season.

What Happens to Your Muscles in Winter?

Cold weather can cause muscles to tighten, which restricts movement and leads to discomfort or pain. Additionally, reduced physical activity during winter months, whether due to shorter days or holiday downtime, can worsen stiffness and tension. 


Winter sports like skiing, ice skating, or even snow shoveling can also create repetitive strain or acute injuries.


  • This combination of inactivity and winter-specific activities leaves many people dealing with:
  • Muscle knots and tension
  • Sore shoulders and lower back
  • Joint stiffness from reduced blood flow
  • Injuries caused by sudden muscle use in cold temperatures



Dry needling is a simple yet effective technique that helps address these winter-specific challenges head-on.

What Is Dry Needling, and How Does It Work?

Dry needling is a treatment method that uses thin, sterile needles to target trigger points in muscles. A trigger point is a tight band of muscle fibers that can cause pain, limit range of motion, or lead to pain in other areas. By releasing these trigger points, dry needling helps:


  • Reduce muscle tension
  • Improve blood flow
  • Relieve pain
  • Restore mobility


Unlike acupuncture, which is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, dry needling focuses purely on musculoskeletal conditions based on modern medical principles. If you’ve been searching for a dry needling Cumming GA provider, this treatment could be the key to feeling better this winter.

How Can Dry Needling Help During Winter?

1. Relieves Muscle Tension from Cold Temperatures

Cold weather naturally makes muscles contract to conserve heat. This contraction, while necessary, can result in persistent stiffness and discomfort. Dry needling directly targets muscle knots, providing immediate relaxation.


For example, if you’ve experienced tight shoulders after a day in the cold, dry needling can release the tension, allowing you to move freely again.


2. Improves Recovery After Winter Sports

Winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, or even sledding can cause muscle fatigue or injury. Dry needling accelerates recovery by increasing blood flow to affected muscles and breaking up areas of tightness.


3. Reduces Pain from Shoveling Snow

Shoveling snow can strain your lower back, shoulders, and neck, especially if your muscles are stiff from the cold. Dry needling targets the overworked muscles, helping them relax and recover faster.

Tip: Pair dry needling with proper snow-shoveling techniques, like bending at the knees and taking frequent breaks, to avoid injuries.


4. Eases Joint Stiffness

The cold can slow circulation to your joints, making them feel stiff and limiting mobility. Dry needling increases blood flow and promotes healing, helping you move without discomfort. 

For example, if you wake up with stiff knees on cold mornings, dry needling may reduce inflammation and restore normal function.


5. Helps with Chronic Pain Exacerbated by Winter

People with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia or arthritis often report worse symptoms in the winter. Dry needling helps manage pain by releasing muscle tension and restoring better movement patterns.


6. Prevents Injuries from Sudden Physical Activity

Cold, tight muscles are more prone to injury during sudden activity, like slipping on ice or playing with your kids in the snow. Dry needling keeps muscles loose and prevents injuries by addressing tension before it becomes problematic.

What to Expect During a Dry Needling Session

Dry needling is quick and straightforward. During the session:


  • A trained therapist inserts thin needles into trigger points in your muscles.
  • You may feel a mild twitch or ache, which is a sign the muscle is releasing.
  • The session lasts about 20–30 minutes, and you can resume normal activities immediately.


It’s a safe treatment option for people of all ages, especially when performed by qualified professionals like those at APEX Physical Therapy - Cumming.

Are There Any Risks?

Dry needling is safe when performed by licensed therapists, but it’s natural to have concerns if you’re new to the treatment. Some people experience mild soreness after a session, but this usually subsides within 24–48 hours. 


Discuss any underlying medical conditions with your therapist to ensure the treatment is right for you.

Why Choose APEX Physical Therapy for Dry Needling in Winter?

At APEX Physical Therapy - Cumming, we take an individualized approach to dry needling. Whether you’re dealing with winter sports injuries, snow-shoveling aches, or seasonal stiffness, we customize your treatment plan to help you feel better faster.


Here’s why residents in Cumming, Georgia trust us:


  • One-on-one care tailored to your needs
  • Licensed therapists with expertise in dry needling
  • Convenient appointment times to fit your schedule

How to Get Started

Don’t let winter aches and pains keep you from enjoying the season. Call APEX Physical Therapy - Cumming today and schedule your first session of dry needling. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or just want to feel your best, we’ll help you get there.

Conclusion

Winter doesn’t have to mean constant aches, stiffness, and discomfort. 


From relieving muscle tension to aiding recovery after winter activities, dry needling offers a practical solution to common winter pain points. By targeting trigger points and restoring mobility, this treatment can help you stay active and pain-free throughout the season.


If you’re ready to take control of your winter wellness, contact APEX Physical Therapy - Cumming today. With our expert guidance, you’ll experience relief that keeps you moving comfortably, no matter how cold it gets. Let us help you enjoy a pain-free winter. 



Call us now!

A person is doing acupuncture on a woman 's back.

7 Common Conditions Treated with Dry Needling

By Dr. Nathan Teter • November 13, 2024
Dry needling can be a powerful technique for relieving pain and improving patient movement. It helps with a variety of conditions by targeting muscle pain and discomfort. In this article, we’ll explore how dry needling can benefit you if you suffer from common musculoskeletal issues. We’ll cover specific conditions and show you how this method can provide relief through dry needle therapy. What is Dry Needling? Dry needling involves a physical therapist inserting fine needles into specific points in the muscle. These needles for therapy help to relax tight muscles and release myofascial trigger point knots. This pain management technique can decrease discomfort and improve movement in affected areas. Many people find dry needling effective for treating different types of myalgia (muscle pain and discomfort). Back Pain What Causes Back Pain? Back pain, especially low back pain, can result from various factors. Poor posture, heavy lifting, and muscle strain are common causes. Over time, these issues can lead to chronic pain and limit your range of motion. How Dry Needling Helps Needle therapy for back pain targets tight muscles, connective tissue, and areas of discomfort in the back. By needling muscles, the technique helps to relieve muscle tension and pain. Many individuals experience reduced discomfort and improved mobility after needling for back pain . Neck Pain What Causes Neck Pain? Neck pain can arise from poor posture, repetitive strain, or injury. Spending long hours at a desk or looking down at a phone can contribute to muscle tightness and discomfort in the neck. How Dry Needling Helps Dry needling treatment addresses tight muscles in the neck area. The needles help to relax these muscles and reduce discomfort. This physical therapy method can improve your neck's range of motion and decrease overall discomfort. Sciatica What is Sciatica? Sciatica refers to the discomfort radiating along the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back to your legs. It often results from a herniated disc or muscle spasm. How Dry Needling Helps Dry needling therapy targets the muscles around the sciatic nerve. It can relieve the tension that presses on the nerve and reduce inflammation along the leg. This treatment can help to ease the discomfort associated with sciatica. Shoulder Pain What Causes Shoulder Pain? Shoulder pain can be caused by overuse, injury, or muscle imbalance. Activities that involve repetitive shoulder movements can lead to discomfort and inflammation. How Dry Needling Helps Dry needling can relieve shoulder pain by targeting soft tissue, tight muscles and trigger points. This physical therapy technique helps to relax the muscles and alleviate discomfort. Many people find that it improves their shoulder function and reduces inflammation. Hip Pain What Causes Hip Pain? Hip pain can be due to arthritis, muscle strain, or injuries from athletic training. Activities that put stress on the hip joint can contribute to pain and discomfort. How Dry Needling Helps Dry needling addresses tight muscles around the hip joint. By targeting these areas, the technique helps to reduce pain and improve hip movement. It can have high efficacy in managing hip discomfort. Knee Pain What Causes Knee Pain? Knee pain can result from injuries, arthritis, or overuse. Activities that put strain on the knee joint can lead to discomfort and pain. How Dry Needling Helps Dry needling targets the muscles, and soft tissue around the knee. The technique helps relieve tension and pain, improving overall knee function. It can be a useful pain management treatment for those experiencing knee discomfort. Elbow Pain What Causes Elbow Pain? Elbow pain can be caused by repetitive movements, overuse, or injuries from sports or athletic training. Common conditions include tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. How Dry Needling Helps Dry needling targets the muscles around the elbow joint. It helps to reduce tension and pain in the area, improving movement and function. This method can have high efficacy in managing elbow discomfort. Conclusion Dry needling by a reliable physical therapist can help with various musculoskeletal conditions like back pain, neck pain, and sciatica. By targeting specific muscles, it provides relief from discomfort and improves range of motion. If you’re dealing with pain from any of these conditions, dry needling in Cumming might be a solution for you. Apex Physical Therapy - Cumming offers this treatment to help you feel better and move more comfortably. Contact us to learn more or discuss any questions you have.
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