I absolutely support dry needling being performed by physical therapists trained in its use!  I believe that it can be a tremendously important tool for a physical therapist in treating difficult problems and that the results from its use can both speed recovery time and help avoid more costly, invasive medical procedures. 

Dry needling was used in the treatment of two different problems I had, with outstanding results both times. The first problem was several years ago: a badly sprained ankle with tears in two tendons and a bone chip.  The surgeon wanted to operate, but was willing to have me follow my physical therapist's suggestion to try dry needling first. (The therapist suggested it because improvements to my ankle with just physical therapy and exercises had hit a plateau, without resolving the problem.)  The positve results from the dry needling, in concert with continued PT treatment and exercises, was immediate and dramatic.  My ankle has been strong for years now.  I never had to have the surgery. 

More recently, I badly pulled a hamstring, with involvement of the piriformis muscle.  Again, the dry needling stimulated a leap forward in my recovery from that problem. 

Based on my experience, I firmly believe in the efficacy of dry needling in combination with the physical therapist's work on the affected area and the excercizes prescribed.  I could not be happier with the help it provided in effecting speedy and surgery-free recoveries. I am back to my varied, physically active life!