How Much Does Dry Needling Cost?
Updated: 1 day ago
Dry needling usually costs between $50 and $150+ per visit, and many people need around 3 to 6 sessions. The total cost depends on the provider and whether it’s part of a physical therapy session or a stand-alone treatment.
Key Takeaways
Do not assume dry needling is covered just because physical therapy is covered. Some plans cover the PT visit but exclude dry needling, so check your specific benefits before treatment.
Dry needling is rarely a one-visit decision. Many patients receive several sessions, but the right number should depend on whether you are actually making progress.
Phenom Sports and Rehabilitation bases treatment on your progress. Your physical therapist can explain what is included, how many sessions may make sense, and what costs or insurance coverage to check before treatment.
Dry Needling Cost
Dry needling usually costs around $50 to $150 per session, depending on where you go.
Dry needling is also sometimes called intramuscular stimulation, or IMS. It’s used to treat tight or painful spots in the muscles, often called trigger points.
People may use dry needling to help with things like muscle pain, tightness, and trouble moving comfortably.
The cost can vary depending on how long your appointment is, what’s included in the treatment, and how the clinic sets its prices.
Dry needling is also pretty common in physical therapy. In one U.S. survey of 865 physical therapists, 55% said they used dry needling in their practice.
Dry needling prices can vary based on who performs the treatment, where the clinic is located, and what is included in the visit.
For example, a physical therapist with a DPT, more years of experience, and advanced training through a program such as Evidence In Motion’s Functional Dry Needling® (FDN) courses may charge more, especially for longer sessions that also include evaluation, manual therapy or exercise.
What You’re Really Paying For
A $50 visit might just include dry needling, while a $150 visit may include other physical therapy treatments too. So, the price really depends on what’s included in your appointment.
Type of visit | Typical self-pay cost | What it usually includes |
|---|---|---|
Dry needling-only session | $50–$100 | Short visit focused on dry needling |
Physical therapy visit with dry needling | $100–$150+ | Dry needling plus exercises, manual therapy, mobility or strength work |
Initial physical therapy evaluation | $100–$150 | Assessment, treatment plan, and sometimes dry needling |
Some physical therapy clinics charge around $50 for a 20-minute dry needling session and about $70 to $100 for a 30-minute session.
If you’re booking a full physical therapy visit, you’ll usually pay a little more. These appointments can cost around $100 to $150 or more, and longer visits may be closer to $175.
Your first appointment may cost a bit more, too. That’s because your physical therapist needs time to learn what’s going on. They may check how you move, where you’re feeling pain or tightness, and things like your strength and mobility.
Then, they can put together a treatment plan that makes sense for you. An initial visit often costs around $100 to $150.
So, when you’re comparing prices, don’t just look at the number. Take a look at what you’re actually getting with the visit.
I had an excellent experience with the physical therapy program for my lower back pain. Doctor Mark and his team provided a combination of targeted massage and exercises for deep abdominal muscles, which offered significant relief and improved my core strength. The therapists were knowledgeable and attentive, tailoring the treatment to my specific needs and ensuring I understood each step of the process. Nadiya Shepovalova
At Phenom Sports and Rehabilitation in Colorado, dry needling can be used along with services like physical therapy, active rehab, kinesiology, or myofascial release (massage therapy).
Your therapist can put together the right mix based on what your body needs, so you can move more comfortably, build strength, and get back to doing the things you enjoy.
Is Dry Needling Covered by Insurance?
Dry needling may be covered by insurance, but it really depends on your plan.
Even if your insurance covers physical therapy, dry needling may not be included. In some cases, your plan may cover the physical therapy visit but not the dry needling itself.
For example, Aetna currently considers dry needling an experimental or unproven treatment. Cigna also lists it as experimental, investigational, or unproven under its physical therapy policy.
Medicare works a little differently. In some cases, it may cover dry needling or acupuncture codes for people with chronic low back pain when certain requirements are met. For other conditions, it may not be covered.
Your coverage can also depshoulder painend on the kind of plan you have. Employer plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and other insurance plans can all have different rules.
Before your appointment, it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company and ask if dry needling is covered.
You can also give them the billing codes used for dry needling. CPT code 20560 is generally used when one or two muscles are treated, while CPT code 20561 is used for three or more muscles.
These codes can make it easier for your insurance company to look up your benefits. Just keep in mind that having a CPT code doesn’t automatically mean the treatment is covered.
Don’t assume “physical therapy covered” means “dry needling covered.” Ask your insurer about dry needling specifically before your visit.
Which Insurance Plans Does Phenom Sports and Rehabilitation Accept?
At Phenom Sports and Rehabilitation, we work with several major insurance plans and healthcare networks, including:
Just because we accept your insurance plan does not mean dry needling is always covered.
Your coverage depends on your specific plan, and things like your deductible, copay, coinsurance and other plan rules can affect how much you may need to pay.
If you’re not sure what your plan covers, our team at Phenom Sports and Rehabilitation is here to help. For any questions or concerns about your insurance coverage, please contact us.
How Many Dry Needling Sessions Will I Need?
There isn’t one set number of dry needling sessions that works for everyone. In one U.S. survey, 82% of physical therapists who use dry needling said patients commonly receive 3 to 6 sessions.
How many sessions you may need can depend on things like:
where you have pain or tightness
how long you’ve had symptoms
how strong your symptoms are
how your body responds to treatment
what you want to get back to doing
For some people, dry needling may only be used a few times. For others, it may be part of treatment for several weeks.
It also depends on what you’re treating. Someone getting dry needling for plantar fasciitis may have a very different plan from someone dealing with back or shoulder pain. Your physical therapist can adjust the plan as they see how your body responds.
The number of sessions can also affect your total cost. If each dry needling session costs around $50 to $100, the cost can add up if you need several visits.
At Phenom Sports and Rehabilitation, we do not believe everyone needs six dry needling visits just because six is a common number. We look at what changes between appointments.
If you are progressing, dry needling may remain part of the plan. If you are not, your therapist can change the frequency, use a different treatment, or move away from dry needling altogether.
The Bottom Line: Is Dry Needling Worth the Cost?
Dry needling can be worth the cost when it is helping you make progress, not simply because it has become part of your routine.
For some people, a few dry needling sessions may help reduce pain, improve movement, or make it easier to return to exercise and daily activities. For others, the better investment may be a full physical therapy visit that combines dry needling with strength work, mobility exercises, manual therapy, and a longer-term treatment plan.
That is why price alone does not tell you whether dry needling is worth it. A $50 dry needling session and a $150 physical therapy visit may offer very different levels of care.
At Phenom Sports and Rehabilitation, we see dry needling as a tool, not a treatment plan by itself. We use it when it has a clear purpose and continue to adjust treatment based on how you are progressing.
As a previous college athlete I’ve had a variety of experiences with PT (good and bad) and Dr. Mark really knows his stuff. He is an expert in identifying the root cause and setting you up for long term success, not just a short term bandaid solution. His focus on manual therapy along with strengthening exercises is a huge plus. Amanda Esselink
If dry needling is helping you move better, feel better, and work toward a specific goal, it may be worth keeping as part of your treatment. If you are not seeing meaningful changes, that is a reason to reassess the plan rather than simply adding more sessions.
The goal is not to keep paying for dry needling. The goal is to use it when it helps you make progress.
FAQ
Do I need a referral for dry needling?
Not always. Patients can access physical therapy without a referral in every U.S. state, although some states still have limits or special rules. Your insurance plan may also have its own requirements, so it is a good idea to check before treatment.
Can I pay for dry needling without using insurance?
Yes. Many clinics offer self-pay options for dry needling. This can be useful if your insurance does not cover dry needling or if you prefer to pay the clinic directly.
Is dry needling included in the cost of physical therapy?
Sometimes. Some clinics include dry needling as part of a full physical therapy visit, while others charge a separate fee. Ask what is included in the price before your appointment so you know what to expect.
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for dry needling?
Dry needling provided as medical treatment may qualify as a medical expense for HSA or FSA purposes. The IRS includes therapy received as medical treatment among eligible medical expenses. Your plan may have its own rules, so check with your HSA or FSA provider before using those funds.
Why does dry needling cost more at some clinics than others?
The price can change based on the length of the visit, whether dry needling is offered by itself or as part of a full physical therapy session, and what other treatment is included. A higher price may mean you are paying for a longer and more complete physical therapy visit, not simply more dry needling.
External Links
For more information about dry needling, treatment and current research, you can find these resources helpful:
Cleveland Clinic - What Is Dry Needling? A simple overview of how dry needling works, what it may be used for, and what to expect during treatment.
Children’s Mercy - Dry Needling. Information about dry needling as a physical therapy treatment and the types of muscle and movement problems it may be used for.
University Hospitals - Trigger Point Dry Needling. An easy-to-read explanation of trigger point dry needling and how it may be used during rehabilitation.
PubMed - Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Patients With Musculoskeletal Pain. A 2023 review of research looking at dry needling for pain and physical function across different musculoskeletal conditions.
