Topic: Dry Needling
Date: November 19th , 2014
Source:
Improve Function and Reduce Pain. Physical Therapy First » Dry Needling. N.p., n.d. Web. Nov.-Dec. 2014. <http://www.physicaltherapyfirst.com/services/dryneedling/>.
Analysis:
In order to become a successful physical therapist, I must understand the specific techniques and different exercises affiliated with physical therapy. One of the oldest most effective treatments used in PT is dry needling. This is a technique used to release trigger point muscles that have been enlarged due to swelling. The physical therapist must insert a needle which decreases tension in the trigger point muscle and allows the patient to resume normal activities at a faster, more comfortable speed. Once the swelling has gone down the physical therapist is then able to determine if there were other misalignments in the body which also contributed to the swelling. Reducing swelling always allows for a better view of the root cause or other possible injuries.
People with various injuries benefit from dry needling. Common injuries dry needling benefits include “acute/chronic injuries, headaches, neck and back pain, tendinitis, muscle spasms.” Dry needling can be used when there is inflammation or irritation in the area. One of the most common ways inflammation occurs in the body is when there is subluxation of a bone. To sublux a bone is to have the bone partially come out of place, but not completely. The joint is stretched, but not dislocated. It is dangerous to subluxate a bone because when it pops back into place, the muscles and tendons attached risk being snag or chipped. There have been many studies proving how dry needing helps treat “post-surgical pain, post-traumatic injuries, motor vehicle accidents, work related injuries, and chronic pain conditions” as well as help the body return to its natural equilibrium.
In order to conduct a dry needling treatment, the physical therapist must have a dry needling certificate and a license. Dry needling and acupuncture are very similar. Acupuncture is based on Chinese medicine and is based along the lines of the meridian system. Dry needling, however, is based on Western Neuroanatomy and is based more on the musculoskeletal and nervous system. In dry needling, the neurotransmitters in the central nervous system are activated “which contribute to a systemic pain inhibiting effect” the neurotransmitters then respond which cause a therapeutic benefit to other areas of the body. Physical therapists believe dry needling is more successful than acupuncture because they are less restricted in the areas they work as with the meridian system.
I think dry needling is one of the coolest things physical therapists can do. After reading this article my excitement has been enhanced to start in the physical therapy profession. I expected PT to be very specific in how to treat the body and help it return to normal function. I didn't know PT had a invasive option. The skill and knowledge needed to use the dry needle option is very impressive. I am anxious to learn even more about all the different areas of physical therapy.
