I am writing in defence of Physical Therapists performing dry trigger point needling.

I hold all of my stress in my neck and shoulders. This tightens all of my sinuses. It also gives me a tention and sinus migraine headache. I take excederine and sudafed around the clock for three straight days with no relief. Once I'm able to go in for dry trigger point needling, everything changes. The needles entered into the trigger points release the tightness in my neck, shoulders and pec muscles. While I'm still lying down on my stomach receiving treatment, my sinuses begin to drain and tention releases, as well as, the pressure. The migraine I've had for three straight days, leaves within 10-15 minutes of needling. I battle stress and tention headaches, as do many working moms with more on their plates than they can handle. I have this done about every 3 months. I don't know how I could live with all this pain if this ability to perform the dry trigger point needling was taken away form the Physical Therapists. I do not believe in accupuncture. For one, it's linked to Eastern Religions, which I am not comfortable with. For another, it's an entirely different practice. The two can not be compared other than to the use of needles. Physical Therapists, afterall, are individuals with a Masters or Doctoral degree with an amazing understanding of the human body, it's parts, function, proper range of motion, etc. I think there is a time and place for Acupuncturists and Physical Therapist and a client base for each, for entirely different reasons and outcomes. I need relief from trigger points that only a Physical Therapist can provide.