Dry Needling Physical Therapy in Bristol, TN
Release tight muscles, eliminate trigger points, and get back to training stronger than ever. Dr. Ryan Sparks combines dry needling with performance-based physical therapy to help athletes and active adults in Bristol break through pain and move better.
Don't Let Tight Muscles and Trigger Points Hold You Back
You're putting in the work at the gym, on the field, or in your training—but nagging pain and muscle tightness keep slowing you down. Traditional treatments aren't getting to the root of the problem, and you're frustrated with temporary relief that doesn't last.
Muscle Tightness Limiting Performance
Stubborn knots and trigger points restrict your range of motion and keep you from lifting, running, or competing at your best.
Pain That Won't Go Away
You've tried stretching, foam rolling, and rest—but the deep muscular pain keeps coming back every time you push yourself.
Losing Training Time
Every week you're dealing with this pain is another week you're not hitting PRs, improving your game, or doing what you love.
Expert Dry Needling to Eliminate Pain and Optimize Performance
At Sparked Rehab and Athletics, dry needling isn't just about treating pain—it's about unlocking your body's full potential. Dr. Ryan Sparks uses precise needling techniques to release muscle tension, improve mobility, and accelerate recovery so you can train harder and perform better.
Every session is a full 60 minutes, one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy who understands athletes and active lifestyles.
Precise dry needling to release trigger points and restore muscle function
Full-hour sessions with personalized attention from Dr. Ryan Sparks, DPT
Performance-based approach combining needling with corrective exercise and strength training
Identify Trigger Points and Root Causes
Through detailed assessment, Dr. Ryan pinpoints exactly which muscles and trigger points are causing your pain and limiting your movement.
How Dry Needling Physical Therapy Gets You Back to Peak Performance
Release Tension with Precision Dry Needling
Using advanced dry needling techniques, we release tight muscles, improve blood flow, and restore proper function so your body can heal and perform.
Build Strength and Prevent Future Issues
We combine dry needling with targeted exercises and movement training to strengthen weak areas, optimize biomechanics, and keep you training pain-free.
Common Conditions We Treat with Dry Needling in Bristol, TN
Whether you're dealing with chronic tightness from training, acute injuries, or nagging pain that won't go away, dry needling can help. Dr. Ryan Sparks specializes in treating active adults, athletes, CrossFitters, runners, and gym-goers throughout the Bristol and Tri-Cities area.
Neck and upper back tightness from lifting and desk work
Shoulder pain and rotator cuff trigger points limiting overhead movements
Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow affecting grip strength
Lower back pain and sciatica from training or daily activities
Hip tightness and IT band syndrome slowing down runners
Calf strains, ankle pain, and plantar fasciitis
Muscle strains, tendinitis, and chronic tightness throughout the body
What Athletes in Bristol Are Saying About Our Dry Needling
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"Ryan also offers a functional strength class 3x per week. He pays attention to our form and explains the movements. In his PT practice, he takes time to listen and offers dry needling and other treatments. I have really not only gained strength but mobility."
Kay McElroy
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"I had some neck pain from lifting weights that would flare up and cause me to stop doing certain exercises. Ryan gave me a detailed plan and showed me some warm up exercises to do before I lifted that changed the game. No more neck issues. I also had some lower back pain that would flare up and he gave me a plan for that. He gave me some treatment with dry needling as well."
Chris Moss
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"Ryan Sparks is professional, respectful, and highly knowledgeable about anatomy and physiology. He explains the problems and solutions in a way that are easy to visualize and understand. He not only helped me with the pain in the moment with therapies such as cupping and dry needling, but also got to the root of the problem and gave me tools to STAY well."
Mary Gordy
Meet Our Team
Expert care from a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in athletes and active adults
Ryan Sparks, PT, DPT
Owner & Doctor of Physical Therapy
Ryan is an accomplished physical therapist and the owner and operator of Sparked Rehab and Athletics, a leading rehabilitation and training facility located in Bristol, TN. Originally from Mitchell County, NC, Ryan moved to Johnson City to pursue his college education. He attended East Tennessee State University, where he completed his Bachelors degree in Exercise Science while interning in the university’s athletic training room.
Ryan's passion for sports and fitness led him back to ETSU, where he earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy. After completing his studies, he was hired by King University as the physical therapist for their athletes.
Ryan specializes in working with athletes, weightlifters, runners, and active individuals, providing them with the care they need to get back on the court, field, or doing what they love. With a wealth of experience and expertise, Ryan has helped countless clients achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
When he's not working with clients, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family, his wife Sandra and his son Leo. Ryan is an active member of the community and enjoys participating in CrossFit, pickleball, and other competitive activities.
If you're an athlete or active individual looking to overcome an injury or improve your performance, Ryan and Sparked Rehab and Athletics are here to help. With their cutting-edge treatments and personalized approach, they can help you achieve your goals and live your best life.
Get Started with Dry Needling Physical Therapy in Bristol, TN
Located at The Bristol Sportsplex, just 5 minutes from downtown Bristol and easily accessible from Kingsport and Johnson City. We're right off I-81, near Bristol Motor Speedway and local CrossFit gyms.
Phone
(423) 484-8488
Office
109 Raytheon Rd, Suite B
Bristol, TN 37620
We're located on Raytheon Road at The Bristol Sportsplex, just 5 minutes from downtown Bristol. Easily accessible from I-81 (Exit 74), close to Bristol Motor Speedway and local training facilities. Serving Bristol, Kingsport, Johnson City, and the entire Tri-Cities area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers about dry needling physical therapy in Bristol, TN
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Dry needling is an advanced treatment technique where very thin needles are inserted into muscle trigger points—tight bands of muscle tissue that cause pain and restrict movement. Unlike acupuncture (which follows traditional Chinese medicine meridians), dry needling targets specific muscular dysfunction based on Western anatomy and physiology.
When the needle enters the trigger point, it causes a localized twitch response that releases the muscle tension, improves blood flow, and jumpstarts the healing process. Most patients experience immediate relief and improved range of motion. Dr. Ryan combines dry needling with corrective exercises and manual therapy to ensure long-lasting results.
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Most patients describe dry needling as a brief, tolerable discomfort—not painful like an injection. You may feel a quick pinch when the needle enters the skin, followed by a deep ache or muscle twitch when it hits the trigger point. That twitch response is actually a good sign that we've reached the right spot.
Dr. Ryan works at your pace and comfort level, explaining each step and adjusting based on your feedback. Many patients are nervous before their first session but find the treatment much more comfortable than expected. The temporary discomfort is well worth the relief and improved function you'll experience afterward.
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The number of sessions depends on your specific condition, how long you've had the pain, and your activity level. Some patients experience significant relief after just 1-2 sessions, while chronic conditions may require 4-6 sessions for optimal results.
During your initial evaluation, Dr. Ryan will assess your condition and provide a personalized treatment plan with realistic expectations. Because each session is a full 60 minutes of one-on-one attention, we're able to address multiple areas and combine dry needling with other treatments and exercises—which often means you'll need fewer total visits than at traditional PT clinics.
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Yes! In fact, staying active is encouraged. Dr. Ryan specializes in working with athletes and active individuals who want to continue training while addressing their pain. Unlike traditional physical therapy that often requires long breaks from activity, our performance-based approach is designed to keep you moving.
After a dry needling session, you may experience some temporary soreness (similar to post-workout muscle fatigue), so we recommend adjusting training intensity for 24-48 hours. Dr. Ryan will provide specific guidance on which activities to modify and which exercises to emphasize based on your treatment plan and training goals.
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No referral is needed! Tennessee law allows direct access to physical therapy, so you can schedule an appointment immediately without waiting for a doctor's visit.
Sparked Rehab and Athletics operates as a cash-based practice, which means we do not accept insurance. This allows us to provide full 60-minute, one-on-one sessions without insurance restrictions on treatment types, session frequency, or visit limits. We offer transparent, competitive self-pay rates. Many patients find that our model actually saves them money compared to high insurance copays and deductibles—while getting significantly better care and faster results.