I am 56 years old, and have been under the care of a physical therapist for approximately 5 year for chronic hip pain related to a congenital condition, which will eventually require a hip replacement. In an attempt to delay the surgery due to the limited lifespan of artificial joints, I receive maintenance treatment at least once a year. On occasion, I will have an acute flare-up, which will require additional visits. Treatment, in the past, could be quite lengthy, and painful. Since I was introduced to dry needling, my treatment sessions are much shorter, and the results are reached in far fewer visits while also achieving a greater reduction in pain than I was receiving with traditional physical therapy. Given the choice, and where appropriate, I would opt for dry needling due to the many advantages it has over traditional manual manipulation. Besides the benefit of more immediate and better pain relief, I am not spending weeks with return visits, and losing valuable time from my daily schedule. It is truly a quality of life issue.

Dry needling was a new term for me, but it was explained thoroughly by my physical therapist. I was required to read literature on the procedure, and all possible side affects. I was given ample opportunity to ask questions, and it was only done after conferring with both my family physician and Orthopedist. I would never have agreed to a new procedure with which I was not completely comfortable, or confident in the knowledge, and skill of the practitioner. I have never had a negative experience, or any side affects. Dry needling has always been used along with education, physical assessment, exercise, at-home plan, and follow-up. Dry needling is by no means the only treatment used during my sessions, but it has, for me, provided the most significant improvement.