309: Using Dry Needling To Reset The Nervous System With Tyler Niemack, PT, DPT, OCS
Mar 16, 2026This is the episode that will help you understand the opportunities and functionality of dry needling! Host Erin Gallardo, PT, DPT, NCS interviews Tyler Niemack, PT, DPT, OCS, Functional Dry Needling Certified Specialist about how dry needling can be used not just to relax tight muscles, but to “reset” the neuromuscular system and improve function. Tyler, who teaches Dry Needling Certification courses for Evidence In Motion explains how PTs approach dry needling differently from acupuncturists, using their orthopedic and neurological assessment skills to decide whether to target spinal segments, peripheral nerves, or specific muscles. Through examples ranging from rotator cuff issues to stroke, spasticity, and Parkinson’s disease, he describes using dry needling as not just a treatment tool but also a diagnostic. He also shares his 3 R’s approach to treatment: Reset, Reinforce and Reload. They discuss fascia, pain perception, emerging research on how needling changes the brain’s pain maps, and ongoing legal barriers in states where PTs still cannot perform dry needling. Tyler encourages clinicians to think of themselves as neuro-orthopedic specialists and to use neuroanatomy and sound clinical reasoning to get the most from this very promising intervention.
**Apologies for some tech malfunctions that occurred in the recording. They don’t take away from the learning, but wanted to mention there are a couple of glitchy spots. Thank you for understanding!
Get in touch with Tyler here:
IG @toetouchpt
Email: tyler@toetouchpt.com
