DRY NEEDLING, CUPPING, IASTM (GRASTON)

Target tension, improve mobility, and accelerate recovery from the inside out.

DRY NEEDLING

What It Is
Dry needling involves the use of very fine, solid filament needles that a trained clinician gently inserts into specific muscle or soft-tissue areas (often places of tightness, trigger points, or dysfunction). The goal is to release tension, reduce pain, and help your muscles function the way they’re meant to. It is distinct from traditional acupuncture in that it is rooted in Western anatomy/physiology and focuses on muscular/neuromuscular dysfunction rather than the classical meridian system.


How It Works
When a needle is placed into a tense or irritated muscle band, it can create a natural “reset” response — improving circulation, reducing guarding, and allowing better muscle activation. Most people feel a deep, achy release or brief twitch — followed by improved ease of movement. It works best when paired with corrective exercise and guided movement.


Benefits:

  • Releases deep muscle tightness
  • Helps target neuromuscular dysfunction so that you can progress in performance, not just symptom relief.
  • Reduces pain and sensitivity
  • Improves mobility and muscle activation
  • Helps you progress into strength + performance training more effectively


Who It’s For:
Anyone dealing with:

  • Persistent tightness or trigger-point pain
  • Limited range of motion
  • Tension that doesn’t respond fully to stretching or massage 
  • Athletes or active individuals wanting better muscle function


Important Note
Dry needling is always performed by a trained, licensed clinician and is integrated into your personal rehab or performance plan. You’ll always be part of the process — nothing is done to you without your voice and comfort.

A consent form will be required prior to the initial session, as well as thorough evaluation for contraindications and precautions for each person.


*Dr. Morris has completed certification through Structure & Function's dry needling course (Foundations and Advanced for Orthopedic Rehab and Sports Performance, and Lumbopelvic Hip Complex for Sport Performance).

CUPPING

What It Is:
A manual therapy technique using suction cups (static or moving) applied to the skin to support pain relief and tissue mobility — often used for tight muscles, neck/back pain, or recovery after heavy training.


How It Works:
Cupping uses gentle suction to lift the skin and underlying tissue, promoting blood flow and reducing muscle tightness. It can be applied in still positions or moved along muscle lines for a gliding, stretching effect.

You may notice temporary pink or purple marks where cups are placed due to increased blood flow. These are not bruises and usually fade within a few days. After cupping, you’ll go through guided movement or light exercise to keep the improvements.


Benefits:
Systematic reviews report small-to-moderate short-term improvements in pain for some musculoskeletal conditions, but study quality and results are mixed. Cupping can be a useful adjunct for temporary symptom relief and to help patients engage more fully in active rehab. 


Who It’s For:
 People seeking non-invasive, adjunct therapies for chronic or acute muscle pain, or athletes looking for short-term recovery strategies — best used as part of a broader rehab plan.

 IASTM (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization)

What It Is:
A clinician uses small, ergonomically shaped tools (stainless steel) to apply controlled strokes to soft tissue to address scar tissue, fascial restrictions, and localized stiffness. By applying gentle, precise strokes along muscles or fascia, we stimulate the body’s natural healing response, improve blood flow, and reduce stiffness.


How It Works:
The tools create a targeted mechanical stimulus believed to promote localized inflammation and tissue remodeling, increase mobility, and allow more effective stretching and strengthening after the treatment. Treatment pressure is adjusted to your comfort level. Some people feel light warmth or temporary redness, which is part of normal circulation changes. Afterward, we reinforce the change with movement so it sticks.


Benefits:

Studies suggest IASTM can improve mobility and decrease patient-reported pain, especially when followed by stretching and strength work with a rehab program. It’s not about “breaking up scar tissue” — it’s about teaching the tissue to move better through controlled mechanical input. Evidence quality varies, so it’s most effective when combined with exercise and a clear plan. 


Who It’s For:
Clients with persistent soft-tissue restrictions, post-injury stiffness, or those who need improved mobility to progress in strengthening and return-to-sport/work plans.

All three treatments are offered by licensed, trained clinicians and are used thoughtfully within a personalized plan — we pair hands-on care with movement, education, and progressive training so you don’t just feel better: you move better.