As a licensed acupuncturist and RN, I combine dry needling with Chinese medicine to treat the cause, not just the knot
At Common Roots, we integrate advanced techniques like dry needling, motor point acupuncture, and electro-acupuncture to deliver effective, results-driven pain relief. These methods are especially powerful for treating muscle tension, sports injuries, and chronic pain.
Booking dry needling at Common Roots
New to the clinic? Book a New patient visit ($140) and plan on about 1.5 hours. Your first visit includes an assessment and treatment, and dry needling can be part of it if it’s the right fit. Just tell us you’re interested when you arrive. You don’t need to choose a technique in advance.
Already a patient? Book a Return patient visit (sliding scale, $70 to $100, about 60 minutes) and tell us what you’re working on.
Why Patients Choose Us for Dry Needling
- Licensed Acupuncturist (3,000-hour master’s program)
- 16+ Years Clinical Experience in Tucson, AZ
- Advanced Training in Orthopedic Dry Needling
- Registered Nurse (RN) providing integrative pain management
Why Choose an Acupuncturist for Dry Needling?
Many healthcare providers now offer dry needling, but training backgrounds can vary significantly.
Josh Whiteley, RN, L.Ac., brings more than 16 years of clinical experience, a master’s degree in acupuncture encompassing over 3,000 hours of education and clinical training, and additional training in orthopedic and motor point needling.
His background combines extensive needling education with experience as a registered nurse in emergency medicine. At Common Roots, that foundation informs every visit: reviewing your health history, assessing the muscles and movement patterns involved in your pain, and selecting a treatment approach that fits your needs.
Dry needling is part of a broader clinical skill set that includes acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and manual therapy. Your care is guided by an assessment, a clear treatment plan, and ongoing attention to how you respond.
Dry needling is especially effective for:
- Neck pain and upper trap tension: including tech neck and desk-related stiffness
- Low back pain: acute and chronic, including SI joint and sacral pain
- Shoulder pain: rotator cuff issues, frozen shoulder, impingement
- Headaches and migraines: particularly tension headaches originating in the suboccipital and upper cervical muscles
- Hip flexor and IT band tightness: common in runners and cyclists in Tucson’s active community
- Plantar fasciitis and calf tension: including cramping or stiffness
- TMJ and jaw tension: stress-induced or structural issues
- Sports injuries and muscle strains: causing acute or chronic pain, swelling, or inflammation
- Fibromyalgia and widespread myofascial pain: chronic, hard-to-pinpoint pain and discomfort
- Post-surgical rehabilitation: restoring muscle activation after orthopedic procedures
- Sciatica and gluteal pain: including pain that radiates through the buttock or leg
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling uses thin, sterile needles inserted directly into myofascial trigger points, the knotted, hyper-irritable muscle fibers most people call “muscle knots.” The needle causes a local twitch response that releases the contracted fibers, restores blood flow to starved tissue, and interrupts the pain-spasm cycle that keeps chronic pain stuck.
Unlike massage or stretching, which work on surface tension, dry needling reaches the deep muscle fibers where knots actually live. Relief can be felt immediately or within a day or two as post-treatment soreness clears.
At our clinic in midtown Tucson, we often combine this with electro-acupuncture (e-stim through the needles) to extend and deepen the results of each session.
As dry needling has increased in popularity, more studies have been done to assess its efficacy.
This umbrella review found strong evidence that dry needling may reduce pain across several musculoskeletal conditions.
Curious how dry needling and traditional acupuncture actually compare, and when each is the better tool?
Dry Needling Frequently Asked Questions
How is dry needling different from trigger point injections?
Trigger point injections use a hypodermic needle to deliver a substance (saline, anesthetic, or corticosteroid) into a muscle. Dry needling uses a much finer needle and delivers no substance. The mechanical stimulation of the needle itself is the treatment.
Does insurance cover dry needling in Arizona?
Coverage varies by plan. Some PPO plans cover dry needling when billed under acupuncture. Contact your insurer to check your specific benefits. Common Roots doesn’t directly bill for dry needling, but we can provide you an insurance superbill to submit for reimbursement.
Is dry needling safe?
Yes, when performed by a qualified provider. At Common Roots, all needles are single-use and sterile, and treatment follows strict safety protocols informed by acupuncture training, anatomical understanding, and nursing standards.
How much does dry needling cost in Tucson?
A new-patient appointment at Common Roots Acupuncture is $140 and includes an evaluation and treatment. We’ll decide together whether dry needling, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, or another approach is the best fit for your condition. Return visits are on a sliding scale of $70 to $100.
How many dry needling sessions will I need?
The number of sessions varies based on how long the problem has been present, the tissues involved, and any aggravating factors. Some acute problems improve within a few visits, while chronic or recurring cases often need a short series. We reassess your progress as treatment continues.
Does dry needling hurt?
Dry needling can feel more intense than traditional acupuncture and may cause a brief twitch, cramp-like sensation, ache, or pressure. We adjust the intensity to your comfort, and not every condition requires aggressive needling.
Can dry needling and acupuncture be used together?
Yes. They are often combined with motor-point stimulation or electroacupuncture. Dry needling can address specific muscular or neuromuscular issues, while acupuncture addresses the broader pain pattern.
Learn More About Dry Needling
- Does Dry Needling Hurt? Managing Soreness and Recovery
- Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture: What’s the Difference?
- Dry Needling for Chronic Neck Pain: What to Expect and How It Can Help
- Trigger Point Injections vs. Dry Needling: Which Is Better for Muscle Pain?
- How to Safely Select a Practitioner for Dry Needling and Acupuncture in Tucson
- Migraine and Tension Headache Relief With Acupuncture and Dry Needling
What Our Patients Say
“I’d been dealing with a frozen shoulder for two years and had tried PT three different times. After four sessions at Common Roots combining dry needling and acupuncture, I had more range of motion than I’d had in years. The difference was actually understanding what was causing it.” — Brian, Tucson, AZ
Ready to Relieve Your Pain?
Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward pain-free living.