Find Relief Fast: Dry Needling in Jacksonville, FL That Targets Pain at the Source

Greg Goldberger • October 16, 2025

Feel Better. Move Better. Perform Better.

If you’re dealing with muscle pain, tightness, or limited movement, dry needling could be the missing piece in your recovery. At Movement Driven Performance Physiotherapy, our expert physical therapists in Jacksonville, FL use dry needling to help you move better, reduce pain, and restore optimal function — safely and effectively.



Dry needling is one of the most effective treatments for chronic pain, sports injuries, and muscle tension, and it’s trusted by athletes and active adults across the First Coast to get lasting relief without medication or invasive procedures.


What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a specialized physical therapy technique that uses thin, sterile needles to target trigger points—the tight knots in your muscles that restrict movement and cause pain.



By releasing these trigger points, dry needling helps:

  • Decrease muscle tension and stiffness
  • Improve circulation and promote healing
  • Restore range of motion
  • Reduce local and referred pain
  • Enhance strength and athletic performance

Unlike acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine, dry needling is rooted in modern anatomy and neuroscience. It’s a precise, evidence-based method designed to help you recover faster and move pain-free.

Why People Choose Dry Needling in Jacksonville

Our Jacksonville physical therapists are highly trained in advanced dry needling techniques to address pain and dysfunction across the entire body. Whether you’re an athlete recovering from overuse injuries or someone struggling with everyday muscle pain, we customize every treatment to fit your needs.

Common conditions we treat include:


  • Neck, back, and shoulder pain
  • Hip, knee, and leg pain
  • Muscle tightness and trigger points
  • Sciatica and nerve-related discomfort
  • Headaches and jaw tension (TMJ)
  • Post-surgical stiffness and scar tissue
  • Sports-related injuries and overuse syndromes

How Dry Needling Fits Into Your Physical Therapy Plan

At Movement Driven, we don’t just treat symptoms — we treat the root cause. That’s why dry needling is often used alongside our hands-on manual therapycorrective exercises, and strength training programs to create lasting results.

We help you:


  • Recover from injury or surgery
  • Improve performance in your sport or workouts
  • Reduce chronic pain
  • Prevent future injuries
  • Move confidently again


Every session is one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy, so you’ll always receive focused attention and customized care.

The Movement Driven Difference

  • One-on-One Appointments – Always 60 minutes with a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
  • Evidence-Based Techniques – Dry needling supported by the latest research.
  • Root-Cause Approach – We identify why you’re in pain, not just where it hurts.
  • Performance Focused – Ideal for athletes, active adults, and anyone ready to move better.
  • Local Expertise – Proudly serving Jacksonville, St. Johns, and the entire First Coast.

Start Feeling Better Today

If muscle pain or tightness is keeping you from feeling your best, dry needling could be the key to unlocking lasting relief.

Our team at Movement Driven Performance Physiotherapy is ready to help you get back to moving freely, performing better, and living pain-free.


📞 Call 904-257-5765 to schedule your free consultation today.

Our Locations:

Jacksonville Clinic -  3545 St. Johns Bluff Rd S, Ste 2 Jacksonville, FL 32224
St. Johns Clinic -  155 Bartram Market Dr, Ste 113 St. Johns, FL 32259

By Greg Goldberger December 9, 2025
The holiday season in St. Johns brings excitement, family traditions, and a long to do list that usually includes lifting decorations, standing for hours in the kitchen, long shopping days, and driving up and down 210. It is a joyful time, but it is also one of the most common seasons for back pain to flare up. Most of these aches come from mechanical stress on joints and tissues, not sudden injury, which is supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s research on low back pain. The good news is that holiday related irritation is preventable with simple mobility routines and better movement strategies. Here is how to keep your back protected all season long. 1. Lifting Heavy Decor Boxes Without Strain Many St. Johns residents pull heavy bins of holiday decorations from attics, garages, or closets. Poor lifting mechanics significantly increase the risk of low back pain, which is highlighted by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in their safe lifting guidelines. How to lift smarter: Keep the box close to your center of gravity. Bend at your hips and knees instead of rounding your back. Exhale and brace your core as you lift. Make multiple small trips instead of one heavy one. Mobility tip: Warm up first. Dynamic movements increase tissue elasticity and reduce mechanical irritation. 2. Prolonged Standing in the Kitchen Holiday cooking means long hours of chopping, stirring, and leaning over counters. Staying in one position too long increases stiffness and muscle fatigue. NINDS reports that sustained postures are a major contributor to mechanical low back pain. How to reduce standing fatigue: Alternate your stance by propping one foot on a small stool. Change your position every 10 to 15 minutes. Use cushioned shoes or an anti fatigue mat. Mobility tip: Add tiny movement breaks. Light lumbar rotations or marching in place prevent the stiffness that builds from continuous standing. 3. Shopping Days and Heavy Bags Holiday shopping at the St. Johns Town Center or local boutiques often leads to uneven loading from carrying bags on one side. As Spine Health notes, imbalanced loads contribute to muscle strain and low back irritation. How to shop smarter: Distribute weight evenly between both hands. Avoid carrying heavy bags on a single shoulder. Make trips to the car to unload heavier items. Mobility tip: Stretch your hip flexors afterward. Long periods of standing and walking tighten this area, which directly affects the lumbar spine. 4. Long Drives Up and Down 210 Holiday errands, family gatherings, and parties mean more time in the car. Sitting increases pressure on the lumbar discs and hip flexors. Research from NINDS notes that prolonged sitting is one of the most common triggers for mechanical low back pain. How to reduce back irritation in the car: Adjust your seat so your hips sit slightly higher than your knees. Use a small lumbar roll for support. Take breaks during longer trips to stand and walk. Mobility tip: When parked, pull one knee gently toward your chest to relieve hip and low back tension. 5. Why Simple Daily Mobility Helps Mobility does not need to be time consuming. It simply keeps your joints moving and prevents the stiffness that builds from repeated tasks. Spine Health emphasizes that consistent mobility improves circulation, reduces joint irritation, and enhances load tolerance. Three movements to keep your back happy: Hip hinges Thoracic rotations Bird dogs or dead bugs These movements support the spine during lifting, standing, cooking, carrying, and driving. When to See a Physical Therapist If holiday prep has already triggered pain that is sharp or persistent, a professional evaluation can help you identify the root cause and create a personalized plan. Movement Driven provides one on one care that focuses on restoring mobility, improving strength, and keeping you active all season. Ready to Stay Pain Free This Holiday Season? Schedule a free discovery call to talk through your symptoms and learn which mobility strategies will help you move pain free through the holidays.
By Greg Goldberger December 3, 2025
Learn what glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) is, how it develops in overhead athletes, early warning signs, and how physical therapy restores shoulder mobility.
By Greg Goldberger December 1, 2025
Stay loose this winter with mobility tips every Jacksonville golfer needs. Improve rotation, prevent pain, and boost performance with expert golf physical therapy.
By Greg Goldberger November 26, 2025
Learn what labral tears and rotator cuff pain mean and why imaging never tells the full story.
By Greg Goldberger November 24, 2025
Discover how physical therapy for aging adults in St Johns Florida improves balance, mobility, and confidence. Stay active and prevent injuries through every season.
Healthcare provider examining patient's knee in light room with window. Both are dressed in casual clothing.
November 21, 2025
Athlete-focused physical therapy in Jacksonville, FL. Improve mobility, recover from injury, and enhance performance with personalized treatment from DPTs. Serving Jacksonville & St. Johns.
November 19, 2025
Looking for physical therapy in Jacksonville, FL? We help active adults & athletes overcome pain, prevent injury & move better. Two First Coast locations—book today.
By Greg Goldberger November 19, 2025
Discover the root causes of shoulder pain and how better movement can keep your shoulders strong and healthy.
By Greg Goldberger November 17, 2025
Improve your swing with golf physical therapy in Jacksonville FL. Learn key mobility tips, recovery strategies, and the benefits of a TPI Assessment.
By Greg Goldberger November 12, 2025
Learn how hip and thoracic mobility impact golf performance, prevent injuries, and unlock more power in your swing with expert insight from Dr. Greg Goldberger.