Struggling with stubborn muscle pain, tension, or an injury that just won’t heal? At Breakthrough Performance & Wellness, our certified Doctors of Physical Therapy use dry needling to get to the root cause — reducing pain, releasing trigger points, and restoring the movement you’ve been missing. Serving active adults and athletes across Asheville and Buncombe County.

You’ve Tried Rest, Ice & Stretching 

You’ve done everything you were told — but the pain keeps coming back. Muscle tightness, trigger points, and nerve tension don’t always respond to passive care. You need a targeted, clinical approach that addresses what’s really driving your symptoms.

You’re Worried About Losing Your Active Life 

Whether it’s hiking the Appalachians, finishing your next race, or just getting through a full workday without aching — chronic pain threatens the things you love most. Every week you wait is another week away from doing what matters.

At Breakthrough Performance & Wellness, every visit is one-on-one with a certified Doctor of Physical Therapy — never handed off to an aide. Our therapists are certified in dry needling and combine it with manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and a personalized recovery plan to get you moving better, faster. On average, our patients feel a meaningful difference in 6 visits or less.

• 100% one-on-one care with a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy — every visit, no aides, no shortcuts
• All 5 providers certified in dry needling with Orthopedic Certified Specialists (OCS) on staff
• No doctor’s referral needed — North Carolina is a Direct Access state, so you can book today

Step 1: Book a Free Discovery Call 

Start with a free 20-minute evaluation — no commitment, no referral needed. We’ll listen to your story, assess your pain, and confirm that dry needling or physical therapy is the right fit for your goals.

Step 2: Get Your Personalized Plan 

Your Doctor of Physical Therapy builds a targeted plan around your specific injury, lifestyle, and goals — combining dry needling, manual therapy, and progressive exercise to address the root cause, not just the symptoms.

Dry needling at Breakthrough Performance & Wellness is effective for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, nerve-related pain, and overuse injuries. If you’ve been searching for dry needling near me in Asheville, our certified DPTs treat the full picture — from the source of your pain to the movement patterns keeping you stuck.

• Spine & Neck: Low back pain, sciatica, neck pain, mid-back pain, headaches, and migraines
• Upper & Lower Extremity: Shoulder pain, rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow, hip pain, IT band syndrome, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and more
• Pelvic Health & Other: Pelvic pain, diastasis recti, TMJ pain, vertigo/BPPV, arthritis, tendinopathy, and overuse injuries

Dan at Breakthrough Performance is an exceptional resource for all your PT needs. Immediately upon our initial assessment he identified some old 20+ years of patterns that addressed the cause in areas I was not aware of. After several weeks, the daily workout performance videos and App helps you stay focused, and on track. His gym is well loved, and his education and background help patients reach their fitness and performance goals! Definitely a valuable resource.

–Zachery A. 

I worked with Rachel Pascko on a couple issues over several months and I’ve seen dramatic improvement. She has a sophisticated understanding of biology and fitness training, she’s a fantastic teacher, and she’s just a lovely and pleasant person. I have referred family to this practice and would refer anyone else who could use a PT.

–Holly S. 

Dan Carmack, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS 

Owner and Orthopedic Certified Specialist with extensive experience helping patients reach their fitness and performance goals. Known for his exceptional diagnostic abilities, identifying patterns and root causes that other practitioners miss. Specializes in orthopedic PT, sports injuries, dry needling, golf performance, and back pain.

Rachael Paszko, DPT, OCS 

Pelvic Floor Specialist and Orthopedic Certified Specialist who completed an orthopedic residency in 2020. She has found her passion for treating individuals experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction, with extensive training through Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute. Specializes in working with distance runners, triathletes, CrossFit athletes, and pregnancy/postpartum care.

Emma Gasinski, PT, DPT, Cert. DN, RYT 

Specializes in helping older adults reduce fall risk and improve overall fitness, as well as treating vestibular disorders including BPPV and vestibular hypofunction. Certified in dry needling with additional training as a registered yoga teacher and CrossFit Level 1 coach. Passionate about chronic pain management and functional movement.