PHYSICAL THERAPY | DRY NEEDLING | CHARLESTON, SC
Reach What Stretching And Strength Work Can't
For when you're doing everything right and something still feels blocked.
Even if you're doing the right exercises and showing up consistently.
A FULL HOUR, ONE-ON-ONE
THE SAME DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY EVERY VISIT
OPEN COMMUNICATION BETWEEN APPOINTMENTS
ORTHOPEDIC & SPORTS SPECIALIZED
What to Expect at ALTR Performance
With Dr. Andrew Bagley, PT, DPT, ATC - Owner, Physical Therapist
We know you probably have questions before you pick up the phone. This video walks you through exactly what to expect from working with us — from the first call, to your evaluation, to the plan we build for you.
Every session is one-on-one with your doctor of physical therapy. No aides. No rotating staff. No twenty-minute slots where someone hands you a sheet of exercises and moves on to the next person.
You'll have total access to your PT between visits, so when something changes or a question comes up, you're not waiting two weeks for your next appointment to ask it.
And if what's going on turns out to need more than physical therapy, we will tell you that up front. We would rather make sure you get the care you need than waste your time. So, what's the risk?
Why Progress Sometimes Stalls
You're stretching. You're strengthening. You're doing what you're supposed to do. But certain muscles stay tight, movement still feels guarded, and progress slows or stops.
That usually isn't an effort problem — it's a sensitivity problem. Specific muscles are staying overactive and irritable. The tissue is perfectly capable; it just isn't responding to load yet. More of the same won't change that. Sometimes you have to address the muscle directly.
A thin, sterile needle stimulates the muscle, which reduces local sensitivity and helps it contract and relax normally again — so the strength work you're already putting in finally lands. On its own, it's temporary. Paired with real rehab, it's what unsticks you.
What dry needling actually changes:
- Decreases excessive muscle tone and trigger point sensitivity
- Reduces protective guarding that limits movement
- Improves a muscle's ability to contract and relax normally
- Creates a better environment for strengthening and mobility work
Ready to see if dry needling is the missing piece?
Get clarity on whether dry needling can help you break through what's been holding your progress back.
Can't find a time that works for you? Click Here to have us call you!
Frequently Asked Questions
We hear these often, so here are a few answers you may be looking for!
Does it hurt?
You'll feel it. Most people describe a deep ache or a quick twitch when the needle reaches the muscle, and then the muscle lets go. It's brief. Some soreness for a day afterward is normal and expected, similar to how you'd feel after a hard training session.
Is this the same as acupuncture?
No. Acupuncture comes out of traditional Chinese medicine and works off meridian points. Dry needling is based on anatomy — we're targeting a specific muscle that's staying overactive and limiting how you move. Same tool, entirely different reasoning.
Can I just come in for dry needling on its own?
That isn't how we use it. Dry needling opens a window; strength and movement work is what makes the change stick. On its own it's a temporary reset you'd keep paying to repeat.
More questions?
See Our Full FAQ