I was referred to physical therapy by an orthopedic physician for a small tendon tear in the rotator cuff and shoulder bursitis causing pain and restrictive range of motion. The treatments consisted of manual techniques and “dry needling”. On the fifth visit I complained of a sharp pain behind my right breast. The therapist offered to place a needle in my pectoral (outer breast) to see if that would release the pain. She warned me that the insertion of the needles in this area was risky because of the locality of the lung.  I questioned the treatment after feeling lightheaded midday following this treatment so terminated my treatments and sought out an acupuncturist to treat the dizziness and the shoulder pain.

My shoulder pain was improved 25% after the first visit and the dizziness caused by the improper us of needles was gone.  I continued for six treatments with the acupuncturist until my shoulder range of motion was functioning at almost 100%.   *Note: I realized months later after experiencing several episodes of the breast pain that this symptom was caused from acid reflux and could be cleared with the proper placement of the needles, which was not inserting them into my breast.

As a patient I hope you will prevent physical therapist from practicing “dry needling”. I personally found it very misleading and I could have been harmed if I had continued. I believe the needles should be used only by acupuncturist who are trained for years on the meridians and how and where to place the needles on the body to heal the patient. Physical therapist should stay within their expertise, doing manual stretching techniques and trigger point release with their hands.