Dry Needling · Bethesda, MD

Dry Needling
in Bethesda, MD

Stubborn muscle pain, trigger points, an injury that just will not fully heal. Whether you are a runner, a desk worker, a retiree, or anywhere in between, dry needling reaches the root of the problem so you can get back to the life you love.

Book An Appointment How it works
One-on-one with Dr. Helms | Sports chiro + physical therapy | Steps from Bethesda Metro | Bethesda, MD
Dry needling upper trapezius treatment at Helms Performance in Bethesda, MD
One-on-one every visit
Same-day appointments available
Steps from Bethesda Metro
7625 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda MD

Relieve Pain

Dry needling deactivates trigger points and quiets overactive pain signals, often providing meaningful relief within the first few sessions.

Restore Movement

Once tension releases, manual therapy and corrective exercises help your body move better and keep trigger points from returning.

Rebuild Strength

Lasting recovery means building resilience. We help you develop the strength and movement patterns to stay out of pain, not just get out of it.

What Is Dry Needling?

A Targeted Treatment for Tight Muscles and Trigger Points

Dry needling is a technique in which a thin filament is inserted directly into a trigger point. A trigger point is a tight, knotted area within a muscle that causes local pain or referred pain somewhere else in the body.

When the thin filament reaches the trigger point, it stimulates a local twitch response. This brief involuntary contraction helps the muscle release tension, restore blood flow, and reset the nerve signals keeping it locked up.

The result: less pain, better range of motion, and faster recovery. At Helms Performance in Bethesda, MD, dry needling is one part of a complete approach. Dr. Helms combines it with sports chiropractic and physical therapy to address not just where you hurt, but why.

1
Needle Reaches The Trigger Point A thin filament is placed precisely into the knotted muscle tissue
2
Local Twitch Response Fires A brief involuntary contraction, a sign the treatment is working
3
Muscle Releases And Heals Blood flow returns, nerve signals reset, tension lets go
Dry needling vs. acupuncture

Both use thin filaments, but they are different disciplines. Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. Dry needling is grounded in Western anatomy and sports medicine, targeting specific muscles and trigger points based on your pain pattern and clinical findings.

Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture: A Clear Comparison

Dry Needling
  • OriginWestern sports medicine and anatomy
  • GoalRelease trigger points, restore muscle function and movement
  • What it targetsSpecific dysfunctional muscle tissue and pain-generating trigger points
  • Who performs itLicensed physical therapists and chiropractors with specialized training
  • Best forMuscle pain, sports injuries, overuse conditions, referred pain
Acupuncture
  • OriginTraditional Chinese medicine, thousands of years old
  • GoalBalance energy flow through meridian pathways in the body
  • What it targetsSpecific points along energy meridians, not tied to anatomy
  • Who performs itLicensed acupuncturists with training in TCM
  • Best forStress, whole-body wellness, chronic conditions, systemic balance

At Helms Performance, Dr. Helms uses dry needling as one part of a broader sports chiropractic and physical therapy approach, not as a standalone treatment. The combination is what produces lasting results.

Who It Helps

Conditions We Treat With Dry Needling

Dry needling is effective for a wide range of muscle and soft tissue conditions. Whether you are a runner dealing with plantar fasciitis, a desk worker carrying chronic neck tension, or an older adult with persistent low back pain, we can help.

Neck and upper back pain

Tension headaches, tech neck, and chronic tightness from hours at a desk or looking at a screen.

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Plantar fasciitis

Stubborn heel and arch pain that does not resolve with rest or stretching alone.

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Sciatica and nerve pain

Radiating pain from tight piriformis and deep hip muscles compressing the sciatic nerve.

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Shoulder pain

Rotator cuff tightness, impingement, and post-injury stiffness limiting your range of motion.

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IT band and knee pain

Common in runners and cyclists. Lateral leg tightness causing persistent knee discomfort.

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Low back pain

Muscle spasm, SI joint pain, and lumbar tightness, both acute and chronic.

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Sports injuries

Muscle strains, overuse injuries, and post-injury recovery for athletes and active adults.

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Jaw pain (TMJ)

Trigger points in jaw and facial muscles that contribute to TMJ discomfort and headaches.

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Your First Visit

What to Expect From Your First Appointment

Your first visit is a conversation as much as a treatment. Dr. Helms takes the time to understand your history and goals before developing a plan specific to you.

  1. Intake And Assessment

    Dr. Helms reviews your history, pain pattern, and goals. He identifies which muscles and trigger points are involved and why.

  2. Dry Needling Treatment

    Thin filaments are placed into target areas. Most patients feel a brief twitch or deep pressure, followed by a noticeable release.

  3. Manual Therapy And Movement

    After needling, Dr. Helms often follows with chiropractic work, soft tissue therapy, or corrective exercises to reinforce the release.

  4. Your Recovery Plan

    You leave with a clear picture of what is causing your pain and a realistic plan, with timelines you can count on.

Dr. Paul Helms, sports chiropractor and physical therapist at Helms Performance in Bethesda, MD
Dr. Paul Helms Sports Chiropractor, Bethesda MD
Your Provider

Dr. Paul Helms

NFL & NBA Athletes treated
2-in-1 Chiro + PT under one roof
1-on-1 Every single appointment

Dr. Helms has worked with patients ranging from weekend runners and desk workers to professional athletes in the NFL and NBA. His practice is built to welcome everyone. Whether pain is slowing down your morning walk or keeping you off the field, you are in the right place.

He combines dry needling with sports chiropractic and physical therapy to find the root cause of your pain, not just manage its symptoms. Every appointment is one-on-one, and every treatment plan is built around your specific goals and activity level.

  • Doctor of Chiropractic
  • Licensed in dry needling
  • Sports physical therapy training and application
  • Certified in Active Release Technique and Fascial Stretch Therapy
  • Experience with patients ranging from weekend runners to NFL and NBA athletes
  • Located at 7625 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 219, Bethesda, MD 20814
Learn about Dr. Helms
Common Questions

Dry Needling FAQs

Answers to the questions we hear most often, so you know exactly what to expect before you book.

Does dry needling hurt?

Most patients feel a brief twitch or deep pressure when the thin filament reaches the trigger point. This local twitch response is a sign the treatment is working. It is not a sharp or lasting pain. Many people describe it as a momentary muscle cramp followed by a sense of release. Mild soreness afterward, similar to how you feel after a hard workout, is common for 24 to 48 hours and is a normal part of the healing process.

Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?

They both use thin filaments, but they are different disciplines with different goals. Acupuncture comes from traditional Chinese medicine and works with energy meridians. Dry needling is grounded in Western anatomy and sports medicine. It specifically targets trigger points and dysfunctional muscle tissue based on your pain pattern and clinical findings. Dr. Helms uses dry needling as part of a broader sports chiropractic and physical therapy approach.

Is dry needling safe?

Yes. When performed by a trained provider, dry needling has an excellent safety record. The thin filaments are single-use and sterile. Serious complications are rare. Dr. Helms reviews your health history before each treatment to confirm it is the right approach for you.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on how long you have had the problem and how your body responds. Many patients notice meaningful improvement after 2 to 4 sessions. Chronic conditions may take longer. After your first appointment, Dr. Helms will give you a clear picture of what to expect and a realistic plan, not an open-ended course of care.

Is dry needling covered by insurance?

Coverage varies by plan. Dry needling is sometimes billed under physical therapy or chiropractic codes and may be reimbursable depending on your insurance. We recommend calling your provider before your visit. Our team can help clarify what questions to ask them.

Can dry needling help with plantar fasciitis or sciatica?

Yes. Both are among the most common reasons patients come to us for dry needling. For plantar fasciitis, trigger points in the calf and foot muscles often contribute to heel pain that stretching alone will not resolve. For sciatica, tight hip and glute muscles can compress the sciatic nerve, and needling those areas often significantly reduces radiating pain. Dr. Helms will assess your specific pattern to confirm dry needling is the right tool for your situation.

Is dry needling legal in Maryland?

Yes. Dry needling is legal and regulated in Maryland. Licensed chiropractors and physical therapists who have completed specific training are permitted to perform dry needling. Some states restrict it, which is why patients occasionally wonder, but Maryland is not one of them. Dr. Helms is fully licensed and trained, so you can feel confident about the care you receive at Helms Performance in Bethesda.

Ready to Get Out of Pain?

Whether you are dealing with a stubborn injury, chronic tension that will not quit, or pain that has kept you from the things you love, we are here to help. Book a visit with Dr. Helms in Bethesda, MD.

Book An Appointment

Or call 301-578-5197 to speak with our team