Action | Practice of dry needling |
Stage | Proposed |
Comment Period | Ended on 2/24/2017 |
Physical Therapists now graduate with a 3-year Doctorate Degree that requires a rigorous curriculum of didactic work and clinical experience, which prepares them to become experts of human anatomy and the musculoskeletal system. Dry needling is a technique which addresses trigger points in muscles to release the tension in these muscles and relieve pain. Physical Therapists have the palpation skills to locate trigger points and the anatomical knowledge to perform dry needling safely and effectively. I have seen physical therapy patients express great pain relief in muscles such as the upper trapezius, quadriceps, and gastrocnemius after just one to two treatments of dry needling. I have also personally experienced significant relief of calf pain the day after a single treatment of dry needling from a Physical Therapist. Physical Therapists should be allowed to perform dry needling.