I was a 1st year clinician fresh out of a DPT program when I obtained additional training for Trigger Point Dry Needling (TPDN). I felt very prepared to attain and apply this training clinically. Being a new graduate my recall of the specific muscles was fresh and has helped me maintain the specificity of individual muscles and not just movement groups while in a busy clinic.

Dry needling has been a useful modality to address chronic and acute muscular pain. I have also used it to increase patient awareness for neuromuscular education and activation, as well as a clinical differential diagnostic tool to rule in/out specific muscle groups as contributors to the patient's primary impairment. As a modality I find it to be more specific and often more effective than ultrasound to assist in the relase of chronic contracted muscles or estim in eliciting activation of specific muscle groups.

I have had multiple patients that are amazed at the immediate change in muscle behavior and dynamic change in pain or restriction. Patient have been responsive to the education provided on the role and evolution of TPDN and how it truly seeks a different result to promote healing than accupunture eventhough the tools are very similar. Dry needling, when used correctly, has the potential to expidite healing and resolution of chronic musculoskeletal issues and should continue to be utilized by competently trained PTs.

- Christy DeSpain, PT, DPT