Acupotomy · Tampa, FL
Acupotomy in Tampa, FL
Some pain patterns keep coming back because the tissue itself is stuck — scarred, thickened, adhered. Acupotomy is a specialized needle-scalpel technique for releasing those chronic soft tissue restrictions. Few clinics in the U.S. offer it.
When tissue is stuck, stretching won't unstick it.
After an injury heals, the tissue does not always heal cleanly. Layers that should slide over each other can scar down and adhere. Fascia can thicken. A restriction forms — and every movement that pulls on it recreates the same pain, no matter how much you stretch, foam roll, or massage it.
Acupotomy uses a very thin instrument with a tiny flat edge — a "needle-scalpel" — to release those restrictions precisely, through the skin, with no incision and no stitches. It was developed in Chinese medicine for exactly these stubborn structural cases.
It is not for everyone, and it is never the first move. The hands-on exam decides whether a true restriction is part of your pattern — and only then does acupotomy enter the plan.
When acupotomy makes sense
The stubborn, structural, "nothing worked" cases
The pattern
- An old injury that never fully recovered
- Tightness that returns no matter how much you stretch
- Pain that comes back after every treatment
- A specific spot that always ends up hurting again
- Restricted movement that feels mechanical, like something is catching
The tissue
- Chronic soft tissue restrictions
- Adhesions from old injuries or surgery
- Thickened, scarred fascia
- Chronically stuck tendon and muscle layers
- Scar-related pain patterns
Often paired with
- Dry needling for the muscular component
- Shockwave therapy for tendon and fascia healing
- Prolotherapy when ligaments need rebuilding
- Electroacupuncture to calm the pain pattern
Questions, answered
Acupotomy, explained
What is acupotomy?
Acupotomy is a specialized needle technique that uses a very thin instrument with a tiny flat edge — sometimes called a needle-scalpel — to release chronic soft tissue restrictions, adhesions, and thickened, stuck tissue that keeps recreating the same pain pattern.
It was developed in Chinese medicine and is used for stubborn structural problems that have not responded to stretching, massage, or standard needling.
Is acupotomy surgery?
No. Acupotomy is an office-based procedure done through the skin with a very thin instrument. There is no incision, no stitches, and no downtime beyond some local soreness. You can drive yourself home afterward.
What does acupotomy treat?
Acupotomy is considered for chronic soft tissue restrictions and adhesions — old injuries that scarred down and never fully recovered, thickened tissue that stays tight no matter how much you stretch, restrictions around tendons and fascia, and stubborn structural pain patterns that keep coming back after other treatments.
Does acupotomy hurt?
You will feel pressure and brief discomfort at the treated spots, and the area is often sore for a day or two afterward — similar to a deep tissue treatment. Most patients tolerate it well, and Dr. Hanson works within your comfort level.
Is acupotomy right for everyone?
No — and that is the point. Acupotomy is chosen only when the hands-on exam suggests a true tissue restriction or adhesion is part of your pain pattern. It is one tool in a larger toolbox, not a default treatment.
How do I get started with acupotomy in Tampa?
Start with a Pain Mapping Visit ($150). Dr. Hanson examines the tissue, maps what is driving your pain, and tells you honestly whether acupotomy — or a different tool — fits your case, including what treatment will cost before anything is done.
Meet your doctor
Dr. Josh Hanson, DACM
I’m the doctor people come to when pain has become something they thought they had to live with forever.
My approach is simple: map the painful tissues with a thorough hands-on exam, identify the exact muscle, tendon, joint, fascia, or nerve creating the pain signal, and treat that target directly using the best tool for the job. Many patients tell me I’m the first doctor who actually took the time to put his hands on the painful areas instead of just looking at images.
Over a decade in practice and more than 35,000 procedures later, I’ve treated patients other clinics gave up on.
- 10+ years clinical experience
- Florida's most experienced dry needling practitioner
- Performed 35,000+ procedures
- Consulted with MLB, NFL & MLS organizations
- Consults with practitioners from all over the country
- 175,000+ followers · 12M+ video views worldwide
Stuck tissue needs a different tool.
Start with a Pain Mapping Visit — we find the pain generator before we treat it. Book online or call or text.
Visit the clinic
Contact
Hanson Complete Wellness1202 W. Linebaugh Ave
Tampa, FL 33612
813-534-0311
office@hansoncomplete.com
Mon–Thu · 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Fri–Sun · Closed