29 | Missing the Point: How Dry Needling Really Works for Pain Dr. Gabriel Pallante

Can tiny needles actually reset your body’s pain system? In today's episode of the Pain-Free Formula podcast, Stacey is joined by Dr. Gabriel Pallante, a physical therapist, dry needling specialist, and the Founder of Health Hive LLC.

During this thought-provoking discussion, Stacey and Dr. Pallante discuss the need to rethink how practitioners approach persistent pain and physical dysfunction. Rather than focusing only on the site of discomfort, Dr. Pallante emphasizes whole-body connections, the nervous system’s role in pain responses, and the importance of looking beyond surface symptoms. The conversation highlights how different perspectives and philosophies can align when examined through the lens of modern science.

You'll hear about clinical practice and emerging research, showcasing how certain techniques may influence the body’s stress responses, mobility, and healing capacity. Learn how scientific findings, brain imaging, and cross-disciplinary studies are shaping how experts understand long-term pain patterns, protective mechanisms, and recovery. The discussion also touches on how technology and new modalities can complement traditional approaches to help patients move and feel better.

This episode underscores the need for practitioners and patients alike to see the body as an interconnected system, providing insight into why addressing hidden contributors to pain, rather than simply chasing symptoms, can be transformative.

Curious if dry needling can help your pain? Learn how this approach targets your body’s hidden pain signals. If you've enjoyed this episode of The Pain Free Formula podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Dr. Pallante's work with Intricate Art Spine and Body Solutions, a company that teaches dry needling, started during the pandemic by Dr. Jason Schuster and Dr. Angela Carlson.

• How dry needling differs from acupuncture, with the former focusing on regulating the autonomic nervous system rather than regulating chi.

• The importance of not always needling the painful spot on the first visit to avoid flaring up the sympathetic nervous system.

• Differences in teaching approaches between Dr. Pallante's method and other courses, and the importance of a holistic approach.

• Research supporting the use of dry needling for chronic pain and hyper-sensitization, as well as the ways regional interdependence and biomechanical factors can contribute to chronic pain.

• And much more...

Guest Bio:

Dr. Gabriel Pallante is the Founder of Health Hive LLC and a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy dedicated to reshaping how people experience health and recovery. A graduate of The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, he was inspired to pursue his career after witnessing his mother’s struggles with debilitating spinal and shoulder conditions. Driven to provide better solutions, he earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy and went on to specialize in dry needling, becoming a certified instructor who trains and mentors clinicians nationwide. At Health Hive, Dr. Pallante emphasizes holistic functional medicine, combining treatment for injuries and illnesses with care for mental and emotional well-being. He also holds certifications in concussion and vestibular rehabilitation, blood flow restriction, dementia care, pain management, and more.

Resources:

Health Hive LLC

https://www.hlthhv.com/

Health Hive on LinkedIn