Occupational Therapy
Dry Needling in Charlotte, NC
Release stubborn trigger points, calm muscle tension, and move freely again — within personalized 1:1 occupational therapy.
Dry needling is a technique in which a licensed clinician inserts thin filament needles into muscular trigger points to release tension, reduce pain, and restore movement. At EMPOWER in Charlotte, NC, dry needling is performed by Lauryn Bewlay, OTR/L, as part of a personalized 1:1 occupational therapy plan — not as a standalone, one-size-fits-all treatment.
What is dry needling?
Dry needling is a technique in which a licensed clinician inserts thin filament needles into muscular trigger points to release tension, reduce pain, and restore movement. At EMPOWER in Charlotte, NC, dry needling is performed by Lauryn Bewlay, OTR/L, as part of a personalized 1:1 occupational therapy plan.
What does dry needling help with?
Dry needling helps with muscle tension and stiffness, neck, shoulder and back pain, orthopedic injuries, tension headaches, and limited mobility. At EMPOWER in Charlotte, NC, it is combined with hands-on manual therapy and movement so relief lasts beyond the session rather than treating symptoms in isolation.
Muscle tension & stiffness
Releasing tight, overworked muscles and myofascial trigger points so knots let go and range of motion returns.
Neck, shoulder & back pain
Targeting the trigger points that drive stubborn neck, shoulder, and back pain rather than only chasing symptoms.
Orthopedic & sports injuries
Supporting recovery from strains, overuse, and wear-and-tear injuries as part of an active rehab plan.
Tension headaches
Easing the neck and upper-shoulder muscle tension that can contribute to recurring tension-type headaches.
Limited mobility
Restoring movement when tightness and pain have started to limit how freely you can move and train.
Lasting relief, not a quick fix
Pairing needling with hands-on manual therapy and targeted movement so relief holds beyond the session.
Does dry needling hurt?
Most people feel a brief prick and a deep ache or muscle twitch as a trigger point releases, not sharp pain. At EMPOWER, Lauryn Bewlay adjusts depth and intensity to your comfort and checks in throughout the session, so the experience stays manageable even for first-timers and those nervous about needles.
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
No. Dry needling and acupuncture both use thin needles, but they come from different traditions. Dry needling targets myofascial trigger points to relieve musculoskeletal pain and is grounded in Western anatomy and neurophysiology, whereas acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine and meridian theory. EMPOWER provides dry needling within occupational therapy.
How does EMPOWER approach dry needling?
At EMPOWER, dry needling is never a standalone add-on. Lauryn Bewlay, OTR/L, delivers a full one-on-one session every visit — one clinician, one plan — combining needling with hands-on manual therapy and targeted movement so trigger-point relief translates into lasting function, not a temporary reset.
- A full 1:1 session with the same occupational therapist every visit
- Dry needling paired with manual therapy and corrective movement
- Depth and intensity adjusted to your comfort — first-timers welcome
- Cash-based care that keeps sessions unhurried and goal-driven
Lauryn Bewlay is a licensed occupational therapist and a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist – Upper Extremity (COMT-UE). She treats each patient personally, so your dry needling sits inside a plan built around your body, your goals, and your daily life.
I can't recommend Lauryn and Empower Occupational Therapy enough. I noticed significant relief in my pain and muscle tension after treatment, and my mobility improved more than I expected.
Since working with her, my mobility has improved, my pain has decreased, and my overall quality of life is better. I highly recommend Lauryn and EMPOWER.
Fixed up my hip tightness and soreness within days. Lauryn is awesome and offers extremely affordable and easy to understand rehab for sports injuries and wear & tear!
Where can I get dry needling near me?
EMPOWER provides dry needling at its Charlotte office at 1431 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204, by appointment. Patients travel from across the greater Charlotte metro — Charlotte, Concord, Huntersville, Matthews, and Gastonia — for one-on-one occupational therapy with Lauryn Bewlay, OTR/L. Booking is direct and no physician referral is required.
Dry needling: frequently asked questions
What is dry needling?
Does dry needling hurt?
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
What does dry needling help with?
Reviewed by Lauryn Bewlay, OTR/L (COMT-UE, NC #14501 / SC #6178). Last updated July 2026.
Ready to feel the difference?
Book a 1:1 dry needling and occupational therapy session with Lauryn Bewlay, OTR/L, in Charlotte, NC.