Dry needling in Baltimore — treated at a depth most clinics don’t reach.
For trigger points, chronic muscle tightness, and pain patterns that haven’t resolved with soft-tissue work alone. Performed by a Level 2 certified Doctor of Physical Therapy.
What Is Dry Needling — And Why Does It Work?
Dry needling uses a thin, sterile filament needle — far thinner than a hypodermic needle — inserted directly into a trigger point or band of dysfunctional muscle. The needle elicits a brief twitch response in the tissue, releases the chronically contracted fibers, and restores blood flow to the area. What you feel afterward is a deep, sometimes immediate decrease in tension.
It is not acupuncture. Acupuncture comes from a traditional Chinese medicine framework and treats meridians; dry needling comes from Western orthopedic medicine and treats neuromuscular tissue at specific anatomical points. The tools look similar; the clinical reasoning and the targets are entirely different.
The reason it works when other treatments haven’t is straightforward. Massage and stretching can reach the surface of a tight muscle; they often cannot reach the dense bands of fibers buried inside it. The needle can. For the chronic patterns most patients walk in with — the trigger point in the upper trapezius that keeps causing tension headaches, the piriformis that keeps compressing the sciatic nerve, the glute med that keeps the IT band locked — dry needling is often the intervention that finally moves the case forward.
Conditions we treat with dry needling.
Dry needling is rarely the entire treatment plan. It is the modality that unlocks the tissue so the corrective work that follows can hold. These are the conditions where it makes the biggest difference.
What to Expect at Your First Session
Dry needling never happens cold. It is performed inside a full evaluation, with consent and clarity about what each needle is targeting and why.
- 01
Movement assessment
Before any needle, we run through your history and a focused exam — finding the specific structures driving your pain and the patterns keeping them stuck.
- 02
Consent and explanation
You will know which muscles we’re targeting, why, and what sensation to expect. You can stop at any point, for any reason. Patients new to needles often appreciate doing one site first and then deciding.
- 03
Needling, twitch, and release
The needle insertion itself is typically not felt — the diameter is closer to a hair than a hypodermic. What patients feel is the twitch response: a brief, involuntary contraction in the muscle that signals the trigger point releasing. It is uncomfortable for a second or two and then gives way to a noticeable easing of tension.
- 04
Integrated treatment
Needling is paired with manual therapy and corrective movement in the same hour. The needle releases the tissue; the rest of the session retrains it. Without that pairing, the relief is shorter-lived.
- 05
What you may feel afterward
Most patients feel lighter and more mobile immediately. A subset feels mild post-session soreness for 24–48 hours — similar to the soreness after a hard workout. Hydration and gentle movement resolve it. We’ll tell you what to expect for your specific case before you leave.
Is Dry Needling Right for You?
Most patients are candidates. Some should wait or use a different modality. We will tell you, honestly, where you fall — on the consultation, not after you have already paid for a session.
Strong fit Yes
- Chronic muscle tightness or pain that has not responded to stretching, massage, or standard PT
- Trigger points causing referred pain — headaches, sciatica-like patterns, shoulder pain
- Athletes with recurrent soft-tissue dysfunction
- Patients prepared for a brief, manageable sensation in exchange for deeper release than other modalities reach
Wait or use a different approach Caution
- Active infection or open wound at the treatment site
- Blood-thinning medications — we’ll review case-by-case
- Pregnancy in certain regions — pelvic and low-back needling is restricted; other regions may still be appropriate
- Genuine needle phobia we cannot work through — cupping, IASTM, or manual work may be a better fit
We operate as an out-of-network practice. Dry needling is delivered as part of your full one-on-one session at our standard rate, not billed as a separate add-on. We provide a superbill you can submit to your insurer for out-of-network reimbursement; many patients also use HSA or FSA funds. We’ll talk through specifics on your consultation so there are no surprises. See insurance & payment →
Dry Needling in Baltimore’s Fells Point — and Beyond
The clinic is at 800 S Bond St in Fells Point, but the practice serves patients across East Baltimore and beyond. Most patients drive in from the surrounding waterfront neighborhoods; a steady share come from greater Baltimore and Baltimore County for the Level 2 specialty.
- Fells Point
- Canton
- Harbor East
- Butchers Hill
- Little Italy
- Federal Hill
- Patterson Park
- Inner Harbor
Frequently Asked Questions About Dry Needling
If yours isn’t here, it is probably on our full FAQ page — or you can call and ask Dr. Maks directly.
Will insurance pay for dry needling?
It depends on your plan. We operate as an out-of-network practice and provide a detailed superbill you submit to your insurer for reimbursement. Some plans cover dry needling as part of PT; some don’t. HSA and FSA funds are accepted. We’ll walk through what to expect on the free consultation. See full insurance details →
Who should not do dry needling?
Active infection or open wound at the treatment site is an absolute contraindication. Patients on blood thinners are evaluated case-by-case — many can still receive dry needling with adjusted technique. Pregnancy is a partial contraindication: pelvic and low-back regions are off limits, but other areas are often still appropriate. Severe needle phobia we can’t work through is a soft contraindication — we’ll suggest cupping, IASTM, or manual work instead.
How much does dry needling typically cost?
Dry needling here is delivered as part of the full one-on-one session, not as a separate add-on. You pay the standard session rate for the full hour of integrated treatment, which is itemized on your superbill for insurance reimbursement. We will give you exact pricing on your consultation — no hidden charges, no surprise bills.
Does dry needling hurt?
Honest answer: the needle going in is typically not felt. What patients feel is the twitch response — a brief, involuntary muscle contraction when the needle finds the trigger point. It is uncomfortable for a second or two and then releases. Most patients describe it as a deep ache that gives way to clear relief. We will check in with you before, during, and after.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the case. Simple, recent trigger points often resolve in 2–4 sessions. Chronic patterns layered over years can take 6–10. We will give you a projected range after the evaluation — not an open-ended commitment, and not a packaged-up bundle you have to buy in advance.
Is dry needling safe, and is the therapist certified in Maryland?
Yes. Dry needling is within the scope of physical therapy practice in Maryland for properly trained practitioners. Dr. Maks holds Level 2 certification — the advanced credential that goes beyond standard Level 1 training. Single-use sterile filament needles, disposed of immediately after the session.