Trigger Point Relief in Boulder
Dry Needling From a Doctor of Acupuncture
Dry needling is a powerful tool for releasing tight muscles, reducing pain, and restoring movement — but the results depend heavily on who is holding the needle.
At AcuBliss, dry needling is performed by Dr. Amorette LaFranchi, a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine with nearly 16 years of clinical experience. You are in the most qualified hands possible.
Not All Dry Needling Is the Same
Dry needling is increasingly offered by physical therapists and chiropractors after short weekend certification courses. A licensed acupuncturist completes 3–4 years of graduate-level training dedicated specifically to needle techniques, anatomy, and the safe insertion of needles into the human body.
The difference in training is significant. When you choose AcuBliss, you are choosing someone whose entire professional expertise is built around needles — not a weekend add-on to another practice.
Dr. Amorette is also a nationally board-certified Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) and a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) — credentials that require hundreds of supervised clinical hours.
| Provider | Needle Training |
|---|---|
| Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) | 3–4 years graduate program, thousands of supervised hours |
| Doctor of Acupuncture (DACM) | Additional doctoral-level clinical training |
| Physical Therapist | Weekend to short certification course (varies by state) |
| Chiropractor | Short add-on certification (varies by state) |
Dr. Amorette holds both an L.Ac. and a DACM — the highest level of credentialing in the acupuncture profession.
What Dry Needling Can Help
Dry needling targets myofascial trigger points — tight, irritable spots in muscle tissue that cause local and referred pain. Releasing them can produce fast, meaningful relief.
Muscle Pain & Tension
Neck pain, back pain, shoulder tightness, and chronic muscle tension respond well to trigger point dry needling. Relief can be felt immediately or within a day or two.
Sports & Overuse Injuries
Runner’s knee, rotator cuff tightness, IT band syndrome, plantar fasciitis — dry needling addresses the underlying muscular dysfunction, not just the symptom.
Chronic Pain & Headaches
Tension headaches, fibromyalgia, and long-standing musculoskeletal pain often have trigger points at their core. Dry needling combined with Chinese Medicine addresses the whole picture.
How Dry Needling Works
A thin, solid filiform needle is inserted directly into a myofascial trigger point — a taut band of muscle fiber that has become knotted and irritated. The needle causes the trigger point to twitch and release, restoring normal muscle function and reducing referred pain.
At AcuBliss, dry needling is integrated with Traditional Chinese Medicine. Rather than treating the trigger point in isolation, Dr. Amorette considers how that tension pattern relates to your overall health, posture, stress load, and constitution.
This integrated approach often produces results that last longer than dry needling alone.
What to expect during a session:
A thorough intake to understand your pain history and movement patterns
Palpation to identify active trigger points and areas of restriction
Precise needle insertion into trigger points — often accompanied by a brief twitch response
Integration with acupuncture points to support the broader healing pattern
Guidance on what to expect after your session and how to support recovery
Your Provider
Dr. Amorette LaFranchi, L.Ac., DACM
Dr. Amorette is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine and a nationally board-certified Licensed Acupuncturist with nearly 16 years of clinical experience. Her entire career has been built around the safe and effective use of needles — not a weekend certification.
She completed a full graduate program in acupuncture and Chinese medicine, followed by a doctoral program — accumulating thousands of supervised clinical hours before ever treating patients independently. When you receive dry needling at AcuBliss, you are receiving care from one of the most thoroughly trained needle practitioners in Boulder.
Her patients describe her as attentive, grounded, and compassionate — someone who meets you where you are and takes the time to understand your full picture.
A Patient’s Experience
“I had tried dry needling with my physical therapist and got some relief, but it never fully resolved. When I saw Dr. Amorette, she not only addressed the trigger points in my neck and shoulders but also helped me understand the underlying pattern. After three sessions, I had more relief than I’d had in years. The difference in depth of knowledge was immediately obvious.”
— AcuBliss patient, Boulder CO (shared with permission)
Individual results vary. This reflects one patient’s personal experience, not a guarantee of outcomes.
Dry Needling FAQs
Helping you understand the treatment and what to expect.
What Our Patients Say
Her office is welcoming and incredibly calming, creating a perfect environment for healing. Dr. LaFranchi is a fantastic listener who genuinely cares and has a true passion for her work. I happily travel all the way from Broomfield to see her because of the quality of care she provides. The location is convenient, easy to access, and always has free parking available. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking compassionate and effective acupuncture care.
