Dry Needling in Grantsville and Tooele County, UT
Black Rock Physical Therapy offers dry needling in Grantsville, UT, for patients across Tooele County, including Tooele, Stansbury Park, Erda, and Lake Point. At our clinic, dry needling is performed only by clinicians who have completed dry needling certification, and it is always one part of a full physical therapy plan built around your evaluation.
If you have been searching for a dry needling specialist close to home, our clinic at 163 UT-112 #101 in Grantsville is a short drive from anywhere in the Tooele Valley.
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a technique physical therapists use to treat tight, tender areas in muscle, often called trigger points. A very thin, sterile, single-use needle is placed into the muscle tissue. Nothing is injected, which is where the word “dry” comes from.
Dry needling is not acupuncture. Acupuncture comes from traditional Chinese medicine and follows a framework of meridians. Dry needling is based on Western anatomy and on a hands-on assessment of how your muscles, joints, and movement are behaving.
How Dry Needling Fits Into Your Treatment
Every dry needling session starts with an assessment. Your therapist checks movement, strength, and tender areas to decide whether dry needling makes sense for you and where. They explain which muscles they plan to treat and what you may feel, and nothing begins until you agree.
A thin needle is then placed into the target muscle. You may feel a deep ache, pressure, or a quick twitch in the muscle. Most sessions continue with hands-on manual therapy, stretching, or exercise, so the needling is often a small part of the visit. For a step-by-step look at a first session, read Dry Needling: What to Expect at Your First Visit.
When We May Use Dry Needling
Your therapist may suggest dry needling as part of your care for:
- Myofascial pain and tight, tender trigger points
- Neck pain, shoulder pain, and upper back tension
- Headaches linked to neck and shoulder muscle tension, often alongside our headache and neck pain program
- Low back and hip muscle tightness
- Sports injuries and overuse strains, often alongside our sports medicine services
- Muscle guarding after an injury
Dry needling is not right for every person or every condition. Tell your therapist if you are pregnant, take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder, have a pacemaker or implanted device, had recent surgery, have a weakened immune system, or feel anxious about needles. You can ask questions at any time, and you can always decide not to go ahead.
Who Performs Dry Needling at Black Rock PT
Dry needling at our clinic is performed by three clinicians who have completed dry needling certification:
- R. Brian Cragun, PT, DPT, Cert.DN, Clinic Director
- John Elmer, PT, DPT, Cert.DN, Physical Therapist
- Tim Farra, certified in dry needling for upper and lower body conditions
Because each of them also evaluates movement and strength, dry needling is matched to what your assessment shows rather than used on its own. It is usually combined with hands-on physical therapy, exercise, and a home program you can keep up between visits. You can read more about our team and their training on our About page.
Dry Needling for Tooele, Stansbury Park, Erda and Lake Point
Our clinic is in Grantsville, and many of our dry needling patients drive in from across the Tooele Valley. Commuters on I-80 and SR-36 often come in with neck, shoulder, and low back tension. Industrial and warehouse workers come in with overworked shoulders and backs. Weekend athletes come in with tight calves, hips, and hamstrings. Dry needling can be one tool your therapist uses for all of these, alongside exercise and hands-on care.
- Tooele: physical therapy for Tooele patients
- Stansbury Park: physical therapy for Stansbury Park patients
- Erda: physical therapy for Erda patients
- Lake Point: physical therapy for Lake Point patients
We also see patients from Grantsville, Stockton, and the rest of Tooele County. Appointments run Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Friday from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Cost and Insurance
Coverage for dry needling depends on your insurance plan. Call (435) 884-0324 and our front desk will verify your benefits before your first visit, so you know what to expect before you come in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does dry needling hurt?
Many people barely notice the needle going in, because it is much thinner than the needle used for a shot. Once it reaches the muscle, you may feel a deep ache, pressure, or a brief twitch. Tell your therapist what you feel at any point and they can adjust the approach or stop.
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
No. Both use thin needles, but dry needling is based on Western anatomy and a physical assessment of your muscles and movement, while acupuncture comes from traditional Chinese medicine. At Black Rock PT, dry needling is performed by licensed clinicians who have completed dry needling certification.
How many dry needling sessions will I need?
There is no single answer. It depends on why you came in, how your body responds, and the rest of your treatment plan. Your therapist will check in on your progress and talk with you about whether to continue.
Who performs dry needling at your clinic?
Dry needling is performed by R. Brian Cragun, PT, DPT, Cert.DN, John Elmer, PT, DPT, Cert.DN, and Tim Farra, who is certified in dry needling for upper and lower body conditions.
Is dry needling covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by plan. Call (435) 884-0324 and we will verify your benefits before your first visit.
Do you offer dry needling near Tooele?
Yes. Our clinic at 163 UT-112 #101 in Grantsville serves patients from Tooele, Stansbury Park, Erda, Lake Point, Stockton, and the rest of Tooele County. Call (435) 884-0324 or request an appointment.