Insights To Get You Moving

Share This Post

Over the past 20 years practicing physical therapy, I have yet to experience an intervention as effective as dry needling for treating musculoskeletal pain. I started using the treatment of dry needling around 2008. At that time there was minimal evidence based research supporting its effects. While clinically I found dry needling to be extremely effective at reducing tension in muscles that were identified as causing pain, the research supporting trigger point dry needling was inadequate.

RESEARCH IN DRY NEEDLING

Research has come along way since 2008, and is providing evidence in support of dry needling for multiple body parts and regions. In a recent article by Broyles et al, Broyles summarizes 19 randomized control trials that support trigger point dry needling and it effectiveness. In my years of physical therapy, I have witnessed the invaluable benefits of dry needling to reduce pain and tension in muscles.

MULTIPLE CONDITIONS BENEFIT FROM DRY NEEDLING

There are minimal adverse effects from dry needling and the relief or some patients is often instant. I use it daily to treat conditions such as:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Lower back pain
• Neck pain
• Rotator cuff disorders
• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
• Knee pain
• Achilles tendonitis
• and other myofascial related disorders

DRY NEEDLING MOVING INTO THE FUTURE

In 2008, only 8 states supported physical therapists performing dry needling. In 2018, 43 states support physical therapists performing dry needling. The reason for the increase in popularity lies in the evidence based research, the successful outcomes therapists are having with their patients, and the increase in direct access.

As a dry needling instructor for the Institute of Advanced Musculoskeletal Treatments and a clinic director of 15 years with Virginia Therapy & Fitness Center, I have observed the benefits of dry needling in patients and heard success stories from physical therapists across the country.

If you are suffering from pain, and want to be treated by dry needling, you should call Virginia Therapy & Fitness Center to schedule your initial consultation for physical therapy. Our physical therapists at Virginia Therapy & Fitness Center are all trained and skilled in dry needling, and strive to get you back to the life you want to live.