You want dry needling. You should be able to get it this week — not after a physician referral, a full evaluation you didn't ask for, and three weeks on a waitlist. At Solas PT, you book directly, you get treated by a doctoral-level PT on day one, and you leave knowing exactly what was done and why.
"I've been a patient with Andrew for over a year, primarily for dry needling therapy, and I can't recommend him highly enough. He has helped me significantly relieve chronic muscle pain, and every session brings noticeable relief. His approach is both effective and personalized — Solas Physical Therapy is absolutely worth it."
"Dr. Cisneros performed dry needling on my shoulder and trapezius area over 3 sessions. He was very professional, patient, and knowledgeable. He knew exactly what points to treat and which points to avoid. I recommend him without any reservations."
"Andrew did a thorough assessment of my injury and explained my issues in a way I could understand. He recommended dry needling, talked me through the treatment, and I felt the work immediately. Within a couple of days I was back to full function with my training. Highly recommend if you are looking for one-on-one time with a physical therapist!"
Dry needling uses thin monofilament needles to target myofascial trigger points — the tight, knotted bands inside muscles that cause local pain and referred pain patterns. When a needle is inserted into a trigger point, it causes a brief twitch response that resets the muscle, reduces tension, and restores normal blood flow to the area. It is rooted in Western medicine and neuroscience — not traditional Chinese medicine. Despite using the same needles, dry needling is completely different from acupuncture.
At Solas PT, dry needling is always combined with manual therapy, movement correction, and exercise — because a needle alone doesn't fix why the trigger point formed in the first place.
Sessions often needed to feel significant relief for acute muscle pain — though chronic conditions may require more
Dr. Cisneros holds a formal dry needling certification and integrates it into comprehensive physical therapy plans
Referrals required. Walk in with muscle pain, leave with a plan. Direct access PT in Texas means you can start immediately.
Dry needling is highly effective for musculoskeletal pain caused by trigger points and myofascial dysfunction. Here are the most common conditions Dr. Cisneros treats with it.
Chronic tightness, stiffness, and referred headaches often stem from trigger points in the traps, levator scapulae, and suboccipitals. Dry needling provides faster relief than stretching alone.
Trigger points in the rotator cuff muscles, deltoid, and pecs contribute to shoulder impingement, weakness, and restricted range of motion. Dry needling helps reset these tissues before strengthening.
Runners, cyclists, and CrossFitters often develop persistent lateral hip and knee pain from TFL and glute trigger points. Dry needling releases these faster than foam rolling ever will.
Paraspinal, glute, and piriformis trigger points are a major driver of chronic low back pain and sciatica-like symptoms. Dry needling these areas can dramatically reduce pain within sessions.
Athletes with persistent leg tightness that doesn't respond to stretching often have active trigger points. Dry needling resolves the underlying tissue restriction so strength training can be effective again.
Many chronic tension headaches originate from trigger points in the neck and upper traps, not the head itself. Dry needling these cervical muscles is one of the most effective treatments available.
Every session starts with an assessment — not a needle. Dr. Cisneros identifies the trigger points contributing to your symptoms before any treatment begins.
Before picking up a needle, Dr. Cisneros assesses your movement patterns and palpates for active trigger points. This ensures needles go exactly where they're needed — not just where it hurts.
Thin monofilament needles are inserted into the identified trigger points. You'll likely feel a brief muscle twitch — that's the target response. Most patients describe it as a deep cramping sensation that quickly resolves. The needle is in and out in seconds.
After dry needling, the tissue is more receptive to manual therapy. Dr. Cisneros follows with hands-on soft tissue work and joint mobilization to maximize the effect and restore full movement.
Dry needling removes the roadblock — exercise rebuilds the foundation. You'll leave every session with targeted exercises that address why the trigger points developed and prevent them from coming back.
Patient Result
"I suffer from Cervical Dystonia, and the dry needling I received from Andrew Cisneros helped to alleviate the pain and muscle tightness from this disorder."
"Every session brings noticeable relief. Andrew truly takes the time to understand what your body needs. His approach is both effective and personalized — Solas PT is absolutely worth it."
There can be some discomfort, but most patients tolerate it very well — especially once Dr. Cisneros explains the mechanics of the procedure beforehand, which puts people at ease. A brief muscle twitch when the needle reaches the trigger point is normal and is actually the goal. When he uses the coning method, applying quick 3–5 second pressure to the site right after the needle comes out helps relieve any discomfort, particularly when an effective twitch response was achieved. Mild soreness for 24–48 hours afterward is normal.
They use the same needles but that's where the similarity ends. Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and targets energy meridians. Dry needling is based on Western anatomy and neuroscience — it targets specific myofascial trigger points identified through clinical assessment. Dr. Cisneros uses dry needling as a physical therapy tool backed by musculoskeletal science.
Acute muscle pain often responds in 1–3 sessions. Chronic conditions with longstanding trigger points may take longer. Dr. Cisneros will give you an honest estimate after your first session — there's no pressure to commit to a package upfront. Most patients notice meaningful improvement within the first two visits.
Most insurance plans do not cover dry needling, and many don't cover physical therapy the way patients expect. At Solas PT, we're cash-based — which means transparent pricing, no surprise bills, and no fighting with insurance. You know exactly what you're paying before your first session. Check our pricing page for details.
No. Texas is a direct access state, which means you can see a physical therapist — and receive dry needling — without a physician's referral. You can call or book online today and start treatment as early as this week.
Yes, when performed by a trained and certified clinician. Dr. Cisneros uses sterile, single-use needles and follows strict safety protocols. He has formal dry needling certification with extensive hands-on training. Minor bruising or soreness at the needle site is the most common side effect — serious complications are extremely rare.
Most patients describe a local twitch response when the needle reaches the trigger point — a brief, involuntary muscle cramp or deep ache that lasts only a second or two. Between trigger points, the needle is barely perceptible. Many patients are surprised by how tolerable it is. After the session, you may feel mild soreness similar to post-workout muscle fatigue — that's normal and typically resolves within 24–48 hours. By day two, most patients feel noticeably looser and less painful than before treatment.
After a session, patients often feel relief lasting several days, a week, or sometimes several weeks. To build longer-lasting effects — particularly for chronic conditions — Dr. Cisneros recommends dry needling on a weekly basis, so each session compounds on the last rather than the benefit fading between visits. Many patients also notice less tightness and improved range of motion immediately after the first session. He'll give you a realistic timeline after your initial assessment — no vague "package" commitments.
Dry needling works through several mechanisms. When a needle enters a trigger point, it disrupts the abnormal electrical activity in the muscle fiber, releasing the sustained contraction. The local twitch response flushes out inflammatory substances like substance P and bradykinin that accumulate in trigger points. It also stimulates Aδ and C nerve fibers, activating the body's endogenous pain-modulating pathways — essentially telling your nervous system to reduce pain signals in that region. Research has shown dry needling produces lasting analgesic effects for conditions like shoulder impingement and chronic neck pain, with effects comparable to or exceeding cortisone injections without the tissue damage.
They work differently and serve different purposes. Cupping uses suction to lift superficial tissue and increase blood flow to the skin and fascia — it's effective for surface tension and circulation. Dry needling targets deep myofascial trigger points that cupping cannot reach. For true trigger point pain, restricted muscle tissue, or nerve sensitization, dry needling has significantly stronger evidence behind it. Some clinicians use both together. At Solas PT, Dr. Cisneros selects the tool that fits your specific diagnosis — not every trend in sports recovery.
In physical therapy, dry needling is a clinical intervention used to treat myofascial pain, muscle dysfunction, and movement restrictions. It's one tool within a broader treatment plan — not a standalone therapy. Licensed physical therapists who hold a dry needling certification (like Dr. Cisneros) use it alongside manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and movement retraining. Unlike a medical injection or acupuncture session, dry needling at a PT clinic is always connected to a rehabilitation goal: reduce pain, restore movement, then rebuild strength so the problem doesn't return.
Yes — and that's exactly how Dr. Cisneros practices. Dry needling and manual physical therapy work synergistically. The needle resets the trigger point and reduces pain sensitization; the hands-on manual therapy that follows can then restore joint mobility and tissue quality more effectively because the muscle is no longer guarding. At most insurance-based PT clinics, this combination is difficult to deliver in one visit due to time and billing constraints. At Solas PT, your session is dedicated entirely to your needs — there's no clock being watched for billing codes.
At Solas PT, dry needling is included as part of a one-on-one physical therapy session — you don't pay separately for each modality. A standard session with Dr. Cisneros includes assessment, dry needling, manual therapy, and exercise prescription. Visit our pricing page for current rates. Because we're cash-based, you know the exact cost before you book — no surprise bills, no insurance denials, no co-pays stacking up for months.
We'll let our patients answer that — check our Google reviews. What sets Solas PT apart is that Dr. Cisneros is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) with formal dry needling certification who personally treats every patient. There are no aides performing your treatment, no rotating staff, no rushed 15-minute sessions. He also combines dry needling with hands-on manual physical therapy and a progressive exercise plan — a comprehensive approach that the large chain clinics in El Paso can't match within an insurance billing structure.
A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) holds a clinical doctorate — the current entry-level degree for the profession. Older PTs may hold a Master's degree (MPT or MSPT). For dry needling specifically, the credential to look for is separate: a certified dry needling course with adequate hands-on hours. Dr. Cisneros holds both a DPT from an accredited program and formal dry needling certification. When you're getting needles inserted into specific muscle tissue, you want someone with the deepest anatomical training available — not just someone who attended a weekend seminar.
Dry needling is safe when performed by a trained and certified clinician. Here's what you should know before your first session.
Mild soreness at the needle site for 24–48 hours is the most common side effect — similar to delayed onset muscle soreness after a hard workout. Minor bruising occasionally occurs. Both are temporary and indicate the treatment is working.
Some patients feel temporarily lightheaded or fatigued after their first session. This is a normal neurological response. Stay hydrated, avoid intense exercise for 24 hours, and apply heat if the treated area is sore.
Drink plenty of water, apply a heating pad to sore areas, and avoid heavy training the same day. Light movement and walking is encouraged. Most patients feel significantly better once the initial 24–48 hour soreness passes.
Dry needling is not appropriate for everyone. Dr. Cisneros will screen you before treatment. It is generally avoided in patients who are pregnant, have a needle phobia, take blood thinners, have a compromised immune system, or have an active local infection at the treatment site.
Wet needling involves injecting a substance (like cortisone or saline) through the needle. Dry needling uses no injection — the needle itself creates the therapeutic effect by stimulating the trigger point. Dr. Cisneros performs dry needling only, which is within the scope of physical therapy practice in Texas.
Serious complications from dry needling — such as pneumothorax or nerve injury — are extremely rare when performed by a certified clinician. Dr. Cisneros has formal dry needling certification and uses strict safety protocols including sterile, single-use needles for every patient.
Dry needling is powerful — but it's a catalyst, not a cure. The reason Solas PT gets results that big clinic chains can't match is that Dr. Cisneros combines el paso manual physical therapy techniques with dry needling in the same session. The needle breaks the cycle. The hands rebuild the tissue. The exercise makes it stick.
Trigger point dry needling resets the abnormal muscle activity, flushes inflammatory compounds, and reduces nerve sensitization. This primes the tissue for hands-on work.
After needling, the tissue is dramatically more receptive. Joint mobilization, soft tissue manipulation, and nerve mobilization restore the full range of motion that pain had been limiting.
Trigger points don't form randomly. They're caused by movement dysfunction, load imbalance, or weakness. Targeted exercise corrects the root cause so the pain doesn't return in six weeks.
Most El Paso physical therapy clinics are forced by insurance to keep sessions under 45 minutes and limit hands-on time to what they can bill. At Solas PT, every session is one-on-one with Dr. Cisneros — a Doctor of Physical Therapy who performs the manual physical therapy and the dry needling himself, not an aide. You get the clinical expertise for the full hour, not the last 10 minutes of it.
Dr. Cisneros works with athletes at a local CrossFit gym — meaning he understands barbell mechanics, high-rep loading, Olympic lifts, and the specific injuries they produce. This isn't general PT dressed up in athletic language. This is sport-specific rehab from a former coach who knows the box.
Unlike most PTs who tell athletes to "rest and ice," Dr. Cisneros builds rehab plans that keep you moving. The goal is load modification, not elimination — so you stay in the gym while the injury heals.
El Paso's military community has unique physical demands — rucking, tactical fitness, and the repetitive loading that comes with service. Dr. Cisneros understands these demands and tailors dry needling and rehab to get service members back to full duty fast.
Athletes can't afford 3-week wait lists. At Solas PT, most patients are seen within 2–3 days of booking. Evening and weekend availability means you don't have to choose between your session and your training schedule.
Yes — and for many patients in El Paso, dry needling is one of the most effective treatments available for sciatic pain, particularly when the piriformis muscle is involved.
The sciatic nerve runs directly beneath — and sometimes through — the piriformis muscle in the buttock. When that muscle develops trigger points from sitting, overuse, or muscle imbalance, it compresses the sciatic nerve and creates pain, burning, or numbness that travels down the leg. This condition, piriformis syndrome, is frequently misdiagnosed as disc-related sciatica.
Dry needling directly into the piriformis trigger points releases the muscular compression on the nerve — faster and more completely than stretching or massage alone. At Solas PT in El Paso, Dr. Cisneros combines dry needling with nerve flossing and corrective exercise to address both the immediate pain and the underlying cause.
For disc-related sciatica, dry needling the surrounding paraspinal and glute muscles reduces the pain sensitization cycle and makes rehabilitation exercises more effective. Most patients with sciatica in El Paso see meaningful improvement within 2–4 combined sessions of dry needling and physical therapy.
Dry needling releases the piriformis directly — faster than any stretch or massage can reach that depth. Often resolves in 2–3 sessions when caught early.
Dry needling surrounding muscles reduces nerve sensitization and pain, making the core rehab exercises that fix the disc mechanics far more effective.
For stubborn or chronic sciatic pain, Dr. Cisneros uses electrical stimulation through the needles — a specialty technique that amplifies relief and is not widely available in El Paso. Learn about electrical dry needling (PENS) →
Here's something most patients don't know: the majority of major health insurance plans — including many employer plans, Tricare, and Medicare — classify dry needling as "experimental" or "not medically necessary." That means even physical therapy clinics with a certified dry needling therapist on staff often cannot perform it during your visit, because the insurance company won't authorize or reimburse the service.
The bottom line: At Solas PT, if Dr. Cisneros determines that dry needling is the right treatment for your condition — whether it's your first visit or your tenth — we do it. No forms. No denials. No waiting. Your session is shaped entirely by what your body needs, not by what a benefits manager decided to cover this year. This is what cash-based physical therapy was designed to make possible.
Solas PT is located at 6633 N Mesa St, Suite 508B in West El Paso inside the Solas Health & Wellness building. We see patients from across the city — if you've been searching for dry needling or manual physical therapy near you in El Paso, this is where to start.
Minutes from our Mesa St location. Most of our patients are here.
Transmountain, Horizon — easy access via I-10 to Mesa St.
Canutillo, Vinton — 15 minutes north on Mesa or Doniphan.
Military members and families — Dr. Cisneros understands service demands.
Worth the drive — patients regularly come from the Eastside and Horizon City.
Central patients find Solas PT on N Mesa St easy to reach via surface streets.
Solas Health & Wellness
6633 N Mesa St, Suite 508B
El Paso, TX 79912
⏰ Evenings, weekends & select days — by appointment
Dr. Cisneros also works with athletes at a local CrossFit affiliate. Ask about in-gym sessions for rehabilitation in a functional training environment — particularly suited for athletes who want to train through recovery rather than sit in a clinic.
If you've been searching for dry needling near you in El Paso, Solas PT is located in West El Paso at 6633 N Mesa St — same-week appointments available, no referral needed.
Book a SessionWant to learn more first? Read our guide: The Benefits of Dry Needling →