The Effects Of Dry Needling On Physical Therapists

My first experience observing a physical therapist, commenced in the summer of 2014. At the time, I was given the opportunity to observe a physical therapist named Jennifer Moreland. Throughout my time observing her, I began to recognize she was not just a physical therapist with her patients. Many times, she took on the role of a consoler, cheerleader, friend and supporter for her patients. Reflecting back on this, I am able to see that the primary reason she has succeeded as a physical therapist; is due to her amiable, encouraging and empathetic nature. These character traits have allowed her to do more than heal patients' musculoskeletal problems. She has also been able to heal hearts, souls and minds by cheering, supporting, listening

I decided to become an osteopathic physician mainly because I want to learn more about osteopathic manipulation technique (OMT), which will provide me an invaluable tool to treat patients. As an alternative treatment option to drugs and surgeries, it often works quicker and has fewer side effects. During my shadowing with Dr. Truong, a graduate from VCOM, he demonstrated me OMT, such as muscle energy, counter-strain, high-velocity low-amplitude. He used OMM and acupuncture to help his patients relieve pain. I witnessed how he used acupuncture on patients and brought immediate relief to suffering patients during

OrthoOklahoma is an orthopedic medical clinic with a physical therapy branch that provides outpatient physical therapy care. The facility has a staff of three licensed physical therapists and a physical therapy assistant along with four physical therapy techs. I was able to observe all three physical therapists, Megan Ripley, Joe Ogle and Ken Roberts. At OrthoOklahoma, the most common patients are post-surgery from repairs of muscles, bones or joints. While shadowing these therapists, I observed cases of total knee replacement, total hip replacement, ACL/meniscus repair, rotator cuff repair, frozen shoulder, labrum repair, and other ailments from wear-and-tear and aging. This experience allowed me to talk to physical therapists about the ins and outs of their job, learn about different exercises and routines for treatment of injuries, and really get an idea of the work it takes to become a well-respected physical therapist.

My first Physical therapy observation experience was at TIRR Memorial Hermann in the Texas Medical Center. The therapy done here were for inpatients who went through a brain or spinal cord injury. On my first day I did not know what I was going in for. I only thought that PT was about orthopedic rehabilitation but in reality there is therapy for everything.

The therapies offers uses state-of-the art science, including dry needling. It is like acupuncture with the use of needles that uses mild electronic current to stimulate muscles in precise positions.

Physical therapy is defined as the treatment of an injury, disease, or deformity by physical means and methods such as exercise, hot or cold treatments, and/or massage rather than a pharmaceutical method such as opioids or the surgical route. Physical therapy much like other healthcare professions is a patient based profession in which the healthcare professional and the patient are in contact with each other frequently. This contact between the professional (the physical therapist assistant in this case) and the patient can propose issues that could challenge the physical therapist assistant’s morals, ethics, and/or professionalism. These challenges made it apparent that there needed to be guidelines for the professionalism a physical therapist assistant must follow and be aware of, which led to the development of the 8 value-based behaviors.

As a PTA I have been given a breath of knowledge in regard to the profession of physical therapy. However, I am not satisfied with this breath of knowledge. I yearn for the opportunity to gain a further understanding in terms of “how and why” physical therapy is successful at restoring function to individuals seeking

Without the repetitive boredom of traditional therapy patients can look forward to seeing their physical therapist and focus less on their injuries.

Conversely at SHU, I have visited our DPT students every year across the country as they interned in various clinical environments. Nevertheless, being rooted within the MSI, OMT, and bio-psychosocial framework would define my more than 25 years of (20 years in musculoskeletal) PT practice experience. Graduating with a DPT degree from USC, I am a fellowship-trained, board certified (OCS since 1999) Full Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT) since 2003, having graduated from the Southern California Kaiser Permanente Manual Therapy Fellowship program. Notwithstanding having an “in press” commentary and “under review” revised manuscript, I have 2 JOSPT (heralding 2 new techniques or treatment approach paradigms) and 1 Journal of Hand Therapy published journal articles and authored/co-authored almost 40 peer-reviewed orthopaedic and manual PT presentations nationally [Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) and AAOMPT] and internationally (World Confederation for Physical Therapy and the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapist). Anchored in clinical reasoning, OMT, MSI, bio-psychosocial

A Sports Therapist needs to have great knowledge of how the body functions, what muscles work

When a patient has a significant amount of pain, they seek medical attention, however, if their pain is muscular, they are often referred to a physical therapist. At the clinic, the patient’s injury is further evaluated and a treatment plan is discussed. Depending on the physical therapist, the patient, and the state, dry needling may be one of the primary treatments. Although, it is currently being debated for its long-term effects on the muscle tissue, combining different treatment techniques with needling allows the muscle to strengthen and can increase range of motion. By combining dry needling with

I am learning about the significance of being committed to patient care and dedicating your life's work to the betterment of every patient. I possess a strong academic history as well as a willingness to commit my time to uplifting of my community. Even as a student who has had some hiccups academically, I am proving that I can overcome adversity and "keep my eyes on prize". Furthermore, I am devoted to being the future of physical therapy and displaying selflessness, dedication, compassion, distinction and authenticity. I have learned to sympathize and empathize with patients, however, at the same time stand firm in the therapeutic methods that need to be implemented for the patient's

Dry Needling is becoming an increasingly popular intervention among varying medical professionals in the management of a patient’s plan of care. “Dry needling is a skilled intervention that uses a thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular, and connective tissues for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments” (APTA, 2013). The major controversy regarding dry needling is the exclusiveness of this technique to the acupuncturist discipline. Even though some people believe dry needling is exclusive to the acupuncturist discipline, research has shown this technique falls under the physical therapy scope of practice, physical therapists are competent to perform this technique, and it’s reliable and effective at improving quality of life in patient’s undergoing physical therapy.

Dry needling is a technique based off of neurophysiology, it requires an evaluation of the neuromuscular system, Physical therapist participate in outside programs to become fully equipped and trained to utilize dry needling alongside normal physical therapy programs. Researchers have proven that dry needling controls pain, reduces muscle tension and helped speed up recovery time.

Physical therapy has grown increasing more useful as the years’ progress and more is learned about the human body and its movements, interactions, and mechanisms. Someone may go to physical therapy for injury, recovery, in order to maintain function, or even due to a stroke and is trying to work on walking again. Patients of a physical therapist can include, but is not limited to, elderly, children, accident victims, athletes, those with conditions such as arthritis or fractures, etc. The possibilities are endless for potential physical therapy patients (Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences).