What to Expect in Treatment
At Empower Movement Physical Therapy, most patients notice a difference after their very first visit. We believe that when physical therapy is done right, you should feel immediate results, not wait weeks to see a change.
It’s not about how many techniques we know. It’s about applying the right treatment in the right order for your body.
Our treatment philosophy is simple: start with the most important systems first, then build outward.
Protect the Brain + Spinal Cord
The body’s main control center.Support Essential Organs
Heart, lungs, liver, diaphragm (using fascial release + visceral manipulation).Balance Secondary Organs
small intestine, gallbladder, uterus, bladder, rectum.Align the Musculoskeletal System
The muscles and joints that move you every day.
Most physical therapy approaches jump straight to the musculoskeletal system, the “lowest man on the totem pole.” But at Empower Movement, we focus on the hierarchy of what your body truly needs to heal and thrive.
Treatment Techniques
At Empower Movement our secret sauce to getting you back to what you love is a combination approach; using the right tools for you in the right order.
Joint Mobilizations and Manipulations
Dry Needling
Dry Needling at Empower Movement Physical Therapy
Release Pain. Restore Motion. Reactivate Your Life.
Trigger points: those painful, tight muscle knots; can form from trauma, stress, repetitive movements, or poor posture. Dry needling uses an ultra-thin monofilament needle to target these irritated muscles, releasing the trigger point and restoring ease of movement. The results? Rapid and lasting relief.
At Empower Movement, our therapists have advanced, rigorous training in dry needling. Training completed by only a small percentage of PTs nationwide. You’re in expert hands.
Why Try Dry Needling?
Releases stubborn trigger points
Reduces muscle tension and pain
Restores range of motion
Accelerates recovery from injury
Complements traditional physical therapy for faster results
Does It Hurt?
Most clients are surprised—it feels far less intense than the daily pain they’re already living with. The needles are seven times smaller than an injection needle, so you’ll feel little more than a quick sensation. Larger muscles may be a bit sore, but many clients who hate needles actually love dry needling.
Conditions That Benefit from Dry Needling
Dry needling can help resolve a wide range of musculoskeletal pain and injuries, including:
TMJ and headaches
Frozen shoulder or shoulder pain
Low back pain and sciatica
Hamstring strain and runner’s knee
Groin strain and hip pain
Ankle sprains and plantar fasciitis
Tendonitis (acute and chronic)
Sports-related overuse injuries
Post-surgical or post-traumatic pain
Repetitive strain injuries
Dry needling can be applied to almost any muscle, many tendons, and around joints to restore function and reduce pain.
Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture
While both treatments use fine needles, the philosophy and goals differ:
Dry Needling: Targets neuromusculoskeletal conditions using a modern, evidence-based approach. Focuses on releasing trigger points and restoring tissue function.
Acupuncture: Based in Traditional Chinese Medicine, using meridians, Qi, and energy channels to balance whole-body systems.
Our PTs are not acupuncturists. We use dry needling as part of an integrated physical therapy plan designed to reduce pain and restore movement quickly.
Ready for Relief?
Stop managing pain and start healing. Dry needling can be the missing link in your recovery.
Real Results from Our Dry Needling Clients:
Joint Mobilizations and Manipulations
About This Treatment
Joint mobilizations and manipulations are a type of manual therapy (“hands-on” therapy) where the therapist has identified an issue with the joint (it moves too much, moves too little, is not in correct alignment, or is inflamed) and works to correct the issue specifically at the joint.
Joint mobilizations and manipulations help to restore normal joint movement, positively impact the nervous system and protect signals the nerves send to the joint that cause a pain response with movement and positions. Joint manipulations use a high velocity/low amplitude thrust maneuver to achieve the same physiological effects as joint mobilization, but with less treatment time.
Soft Tissue Mobilization
About This Treatment
Soft tissue refers to any tissue that is not a bone. Often soft tissue such as muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia can become restricted, taut and painful. We use a variety of techniques similar to massage with our hands or with tools (cupping, edge fascial tool). This helps promote healing blood flow, mobilize the tissue and reduce tissue tension pain.
Myofascial Release
About This Treatment
Fascial tissue is a casing that surrounds our muscles and organs. If you have ever cut up chicken, this is the white film material- we have it too. It helps our muscles slide and glide over each other and if this tissue gets stuck it can restrict movement. We have specific techniques that we can use to get your fascial tissue moving.
Muscle Energy Techniques
About This Treatment
Patients are engaged in restoring muscle function by actively contracting their own muscles. When the patient relaxes the muscle, the therapist works to help lengthen the muscles. We are not only treating your muscles but also retraining your body to do what it should be doing.
Nerve Glide
About This Treatment
Nerves are passive tissues that slide and glide through other tissues such as muscles, bones, viscera, and fascia. As we move, restrictions in the nerve can cause pain, numbness and tingling. Proper movement of the nerve through the tissue helps to restore function. This is a step that is often skipped! We understand the anatomy of the nerves so we will put your body in the appropriate positions to get some of the neural tension released.
Visceral Manipulation
About This Treatment
Abdominal and pelvic organs can become restricted in their movement within the body. When we have efficient visceral mobility, it promotes optimum functioning of the digestive tract, immune system, musculoskeletal system, and nervous system. You can expect improved bowel movements and transit times (more regular bowel movements), immune system improvements by way of improving digestion, decreased stress on fascia/muscles, bones and joints, as well as decreased tension on the spinal cord and nerves. Particularly in those with a history of abdominal or pelvic surgery and the resultant scarring, this can be life-changing treatment.
This isn’t typical PT.
It’s 1:1, whole-body assessment and precise treatment, dry needling, joint mobilization, soft tissue work and activation tailored to your anatomy and goals.