Here’s What You Need To Know…
1. The practice of Dry
Needling has been around for decades and continues to improve
Neuro-Musculo-Skeletal function. As these techniques, methods improve, so do
the practitioners skill set, making this treatment strategy one of the most
effective in the world of rehabilitation.
2. The advancements in dry
needling has lead to a number of different models and methods including the
myofascial trigger point model, the radiculopathy model and the spinal
segmental sensitization model, all which are used to treat the presence of pain
or dysfunction.
3. The primary goal of Dry
Needling is to desensitize supersensitive structures, to restore motion and
function and to possibly induce a healing response to the tissue. For seasoned
practitioners, Dry Needling is extremely beneficial for quick and tangible
results on top of other movement remediations.
4. Dry Needling is
completely different from Acupuncture. Dry Needling is technique to treat the
neuromusculoskeletal systems based on pain patterns, muscular dysfunction, and
other orthopedic signs and symptoms which depends upon physical examination and
assessment to guide the treatment. Acupuncture is a technique for balancing the
Flow of Energy or Life Force, known as Qi or Chi, believed to flow through
meridians, pathways, in your body.
5. If you are skeptical of
Dry Needling, there is indeed a reason why world class athletes from around the
globe are being treated for pain and dysfunction using this technique. And as
the physical therapy and chiropractic scopes of practice continue to widely
accept this practice, we will continue to see marked improvements in practice
and possibly the emergence of Dry Needling as a gold standard soft tissue and
neuromuscular technique.
The History and Foundation of Dry Needling
The history of Dry Needling
(DN) dates back to the 1940’s with Dr. Janet Travell. She identified the
muscular trigger points and referral patterns that were elicited with the “wet
needling.” Later, she discovered that “Dry Needling” offered the same results.
This was groundbreaking work and hence she created the name “Dry Needling.” She
and Dr. David Simon carefully identified most of the trigger points located in
the human body. Thus, the first generation of modern Dry Needling was
established (1).
“Wet Needling” is when a
substance (supplement or medication) is introduced to the body via a hypodermic
needle. “Dry Needling” involves a physical assessment and is an intervention
for neuromusculoskeletal conditions as developed and described by Janet Travell
MD, David Simons MD, Dr. C. Chan Gunn and others. It uses small monofilament
needles to reactive trigger points and “loosen” shortened muscles. This
treatment likely affects the immune, inflammatory, biomechanics, vascular and
neurological systems (2).
The APTA (American Physical
Therapy Association) states Dry Needling is a skilled intervention that uses a
thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial
trigger points, muscular, and connective tissues for the management of
neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments. Dry Needling is a technique
used to treat dysfunctions in skeletal muscle, fascia, and connective tissue,
and, diminish persistent peripheral nociceptive input, and reduce or restore
impairments of body structure and function leading to improved activity and
participation (3).
Dry Needling has had several
names that Clinicians seem to utilize: TDN (Trigger Point Dry Needling), IMS
(Intramuscular Stimulation), IMT (Intramuscular Manual Therapy), FDN
(Functional Dry Needling) and several others.
In the United States,
Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Medical Doctors, Naturopaths
and Acupuncturists are utilizing Dry Needling.
Depending on the State you
live in and your professional degree of choice, you may be able to practice Dry
Needling and/or Acupuncture. Check out your State’s Scope of Practice for PT’s:
Scope of Practice. Check out your State’s Scope of Practice for Chiro’s: Scope
of Practice.
This post was originally published here: DRY NEEDLING IS
THE NEXT BIG THING IN PHYSICAL THERAPY
