Neck & shoulders
Desk- and training-driven tightness through the upper traps and shoulder blade.
Heal · Dry Needling
Dry needling in downtown Boulder — for the knots that won’t let go.
Dry needling uses thin filament needles to release tight muscle tissue and trigger points. At ONE Boulder Fitness, the resident Doctor of Physical Therapy (Atomic PT) uses it as one tool within a broader plan of hands-on therapy and exercise — on-site at 1800 Broadway.
When it helps
For the knots that won’t let go.
- Stubborn muscle tightness and trigger points
- Tension that limits training or sleep
- Climbers, runners and lifters with chronic tight spots
- Anyone whose stretching and rolling isn’t enough
Dry needling treatmentWhat it treats
Common spots we needle.
Low back & hips
Glute and hip tightness that flares with sitting or heavy lifting.
IT band & knee area
Common in runners and cyclists logging repeat miles.
Post-training knots
Chronic tight spots that build up from repetitive training load.
What to expect
Simple, brief, part of a plan.
ASSESS
Find the driver
We identify the muscles and patterns causing your symptoms.
NEEDLE
Targeted release
Thin needles into trigger points — most feel a quick twitch, then relief.
MOVE
Reinforce it
We follow with movement and strength so the release holds.
After your session
A little soreness is normal.
- Mild soreness for a day or two is common — similar to post-workout soreness
- Heat, water and gentle movement help it settle
- Typically used as one tool in a plan, not a standalone weekly habit
Who performs it
A credentialed clinician, not an add-on.
Dry needling at ONE Boulder Fitness is performed by Dr. Emma Stevenson, a Doctor of Physical Therapy who is Dry Needling Certified through Atomic Physical Therapy — not a quick add-on service, but a clinical technique built into your broader treatment plan.
Common questions
Answered.
What is dry needling and does it hurt?
It uses thin filament needles to release tight muscle and trigger points. Most people feel a brief twitch or ache, then relief — not the sharp pain of an injection.
Is it the same as acupuncture?
No — dry needling is a Western, musculoskeletal technique used by physical therapists, distinct from traditional acupuncture.
Do I need to be a member?
No — the resident PT sees clients who aren’t gym members.
Is it normal to be sore after dry needling?
Yes — mild soreness for a day or two afterward is common and feels similar to post-workout soreness. It usually settles on its own; heat, water and gentle movement help.
How often will I need dry needling?
It depends on the issue, but it’s typically used as one tool within a broader plan, not a standalone weekly habit. Your PT will space sessions around your training and recovery.
Release what won’t let go.
Request an appointment with the resident physical therapist.