(I am sorry that my internet connection was lost, so here is a continuation of the prior submission)

With a strong practice pattern and clinical practice guidelines that incorporate manual therapy, trigger point releases, soft tissue and joint mobilizaiton, Trigger Point Dry Needling (TPDN) is an important adjunct to our scope of practice.  With "Western" medical training, physical therapists have the education, training and clinical reasoning to appropriately incorporate TPDN into a rehabilitation plan of care.  This includes focused treatment to release trigger points to facilitate functional movement.  Using dry needles in this fashion is not medical accupuncture.  PT's are experts in the neuro-musculo-skeletal system, and we routinely work directly with physicians and other health care providers to promote optimal function and human movement.  TPDN is one tool that PT's can utilize to achieve this outcome.

Darcy Higgins, PT