Functional Dry Needling

Trigger Point Dry Needling (DN)

DN is effective for resolving soft tissue dysfunction, such as, inflammation, tendonitis,contractures, trigger points, tissue adhesions, microcirculation, edema, and various other musculoskeletal orthopaedic conditions.

A comprehensive examination and evaluation of the musculoskeletal systems, allows our Physical Therapists to create a musculoskeletal diagnoses based on modern medical concepts that is not based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. This allows us to develop a comprehensive treatment strategy for each individual patient.

Dry needling has its own theoretical concepts, terminology, needling technique and clinical application.

Dry Needling, combined with manual physical therapy treatment, can help the following conditions:

  • Acute and chronic tendonitis
  • Athletic and sports-related overuse injuries
  • Post-surgical pain
  • Post-traumatic injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and work related injuries
  • Chronic pain conditions
  • Headaches and whiplash
  • Lower back pain
  • Frozen Shoulder
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Muscle Spasms
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Sciatic Pain
  • Hip Pain
  • Knee Pain
  • Repetitive Strain Injuries
  • TMJ
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • And many other musculoskeletal orthopaedic conditions

Please note:

Dry Needling is just one modality used in conjunction with the variety of manual therapy techniques and prescriptive exercises, prescribed by our manual physical therapist to restore you to optimal physical function. DN is only one component of a multidimensional treatment approach, geared at creating a successful outcome for the patient. As a manual physical therapist we addresses various neuro-musculoskeletal conditions such as biomechanical muscle imbalances, postural dysfunctions, muscular flexibility limitations, strength deficits, swollen or stiff joints and many other conditions. Many, in not all of these conditions may require much more than just dry needling.

It is important to note that as physical therapists:

  • We do not claim to practice acupuncture, and it would be incorrect to refer to a practitioner of dry needling as an Acupuncturist since dry needling practitioners do not use Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concepts.
  • We do not use TCM acupuncture theories, meridian accupoints, and terminology.
  • We do not use TCM ancient meridian systems, such as Qi (Chi) or energy channels.
  • We do not use TCM acupuncture diagnostic techniques like tongue and pulse assessments.
  • We treat primarily musculoskeletal orthopedic conditions, where a TCM practitioner works on balancing whole body systems.

At Advanced Physical Therapy Solutions, we use the dry needling technique taught by Kineticore® under the direction of Edo Zylstra, PT, DPT. This school of training heavily emphasizes the use of needling techniques to help restore normal movement. This philosophy is built around the concept that if we can improve the quality and efficiency of movement, by restoring the interaction of the nervous and muscular systems – we will ultimately improve pain.

The utilization of dry needling techniques by physical therapists is a legal part of the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners practice act. Additionally, dry needling is also supported by (click links to view):

  • Statement from Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy
  • North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
  • American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapist Dry Needling Statement
  • American Physical Therapy Association Supports Dry Needling
  • American Physical Therapy Association Educational Resource Paper