I am a patient who has undergone TDN treatments for recurring hip, back and knee pain from injuries.  My Physical Therapist has administered these treatments.  I am writing to support both the therapy and the ability to receive it from my Physical Therapist for the following reasons:

• TDN works better, faster, and for longer periods than other forms of treatment.  It is safe.   I have received this treatment alone and in conjunction with electric stimulation, deep muscle massage, chiropractic manipulation and acupuncture.  The effects are immediate as well as residual and result in significantly fewer visits to my PT, chiropractor, and less need for medication.  I use only Tylenol or ibuprofen initially and for flare-ups along with my home exercise program.  The treatment lasts for more than four months, or until I reinjure myself.
• I know my Physical Therapist has the knowledge and skill needed to safely and effectively administer this therapy.  I have absolutely no hesitation in allowing him to administer the TDN treatments.  He has been my PT for fifteen years.  My referring physician supports this treatment because of the demonstrable results I gain.  He, along with my chiropractor, is in communication with my Physical Therapist and they work as a team.  My acupuncturist was also excited to learn I was receiving TPN as part of my care.  He saw this as an additional tool with an entirely different methodology.  None of these highly-trained practitioners has ever once questioned the ability of my Physical Therapist to select or administer this mode of treatment.
• Finally, I want to write as someone who has both a PT and an acupuncturist.  I use these professionals for different purposes as these procedures are entirely different and neither can replace the other. TDN, or the misnomer, “deep needle acupuncture” uses different needles and is aimed at individual muscle trigger points.  It does not treat Eastern Medicine’s chakra points.  While plumbers and auto mechanics both use wrenches, I would never ask my plumber to work on my car. Each is trained, certified and practices within the limits of his or her accreditation.  The same principle applies here. 

I sincerely trust that you will allow Physical Therapists to study, certify in and practice TDN therapy in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  TDN therapy is just one mode of treating a patient’s individual rehabilitation process.  Who better to design and carry out a patient’s recovery program than a Physical Therapist who knows the patient’s needs and limitations as well as the benefits of each treatment modality as applied to each individual.

Susan B. Dell

Waynesboro, VA 22980