Dry Needling in Salt Lake City
That stubborn knot between your shoulder blades that no amount of stretching touches. The calf that stays tight no matter how much you roll it. Chronic muscle tension that laughs at massage guns. For these and other problems, dry needling is one of the most effective tools we have — and our physical therapists are certified to provide it.
Dry needling uses a thin, solid filament needle — the same kind used in acupuncture — inserted into trigger points and tight muscle bands. It is not acupuncture: the framework is Western musculoskeletal medicine, and the goal is resetting dysfunctional muscle tissue, not balancing energy meridians. At Craft PT, needling is always part of a full-hour, 1-on-1 session — paired with manual therapy and exercise tor reinforce the treatment, never a rushed 10-minute add-on.
No referral needed. $160 per full-hour session, needling included.
What Dry Needling Helps
Chronic muscle tension and trigger points — neck, shoulders, upper back, hips
Tension-type headaches and cervicogenic headaches — decrease muscle tightness to reduce pain and pressure
Tendinopathies — Achilles, patellar, lateral elbow, rotator cuff
Low back and hip pain — target deep stabilizing muscles
Post-injury muscle guarding — tissue that stayed "on" long after the injury healed
Overuse injuries in athletes — calves, quads, forearms that won't loosen with stretching alone
Our Approach: Needling as Part of Real PT
Some clinics needle everything that walks in the door. We don't. Dry needling is a tool, and like any tool, it works best for the right problem at the right time.
Certified providers with years of experience. Our PTs hold dry needling certification with extensive hands-on training.
Always paired with the full session. A typical needling visit at Craft PT: assessment, manual therapy, dry needling to the targeted tissue, then corrective exercise to retrain the area. The needle resets the tissue; the exercise reinforces the movement pattern. That combination is what produces lasting change.
Honest about when it's not the answer. If your problem won't respond to needling, we'll tell you — and do what will actually help instead.
What to Expect
Evaluation first. We identify whether trigger points or tissue dysfunction are actually driving your symptoms. Needling is never the default — it's the prescription when it fits.
The needling itself. A thin filament needle is inserted into the targeted muscle. Most people feel a brief twitch response — that's the trigger point releasing. It's brief and well-tolerated by the vast majority of patients.
After the session. Mild soreness for 24–48 hours is common (like post-workout soreness). We follow needling with movement and exercise in the same session.
How many sessions? Many patients notice change in 1–3 sessions for a given area; chronic issues may need more as part of the broader plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does dry needling hurt?
Most patients describe it as a brief cramp or deep ache when the trigger point releases — uncomfortable for a moment, not painful in the way people fear. The needles are far thinner than injection needles, and most people are surprised by how tolerable it is.
How is dry needling different from acupuncture?
The needles look similar, but the frameworks differ completely. Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and meridian theory. Dry needling is based on Western anatomy and neurophysiology — we target specific dysfunctional muscle tissue identified through physical therapy evaluation.
Is dry needling included in the $160 session, or extra?
Included. When needling is part of your plan, it's done within your full-hour, 1-on-1 session at no additional charge.
Do I need a referral for dry needling in Utah?
No. Utah's direct access laws allow physical therapists to evaluate and treat — including dry needling — without a physician referral.
Is dry needling safe?
When performed by a trained, certified provider, dry needling has a strong safety profile. We use sterile, single-use needles and follow clean-needle protocols. We'll review any contraindications (blood thinners, for example) at your evaluation.
Book a Session — No Referral Needed
Stubborn muscle tension, chronic knots, pain that stretching can't reach — dry needling might be the missing piece. Full hour, 1-on-1, with a certified provider. $160 per session, needling included.
RxFit-Holladay: 4540 S Highland Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 (inside RxFit–Holladay)
Ute Crossfit: 633 E 3300 S, Suite B, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (inside Ute CrossFit)
801-210-2523 7am-7pm, Monday-Saturday