Written by Erin Kinneen, PT, MS, DMT, CLT, OCS, a Physical Therapist at our Kirkland Clinic.
It is a very exciting time to be a Physical Therapist (PT) in Washington. After a decade of advocacy, our providers recently added the ability to perform dry needling, a highly productive treatment approach, to our practice repertoire.
I was introduced to dry needling by a local colleague who shared that a professional soccer team near her practice in another state was flying once a week to see a physical therapist across the country to receive dry needling.
When they learned she was trained in the treatment and located closer to their team, they subsequently decided to pursue her services over other providers. After hearing how effective the tool is, I quickly signed up for training despite my perverse fear of needles.
I was delighted by the patient outcomes that followed. When the treatment was used for appropriately matched patients, there was a marked decrease in the number of visits needed to reach their goals and sometimes those patients experienced improved results.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a tool used to help manage musculoskeletal conditions like
- Increased tone in muscles
- Muscle pain
- Advance tissue healing in structures.
In dry needling care, a trained provider with an established review of their skills uses a rounded filament to change the musculoskeletal system. In some cases, that will be to improve muscle fiber structure; sometimes, for local muscle stiffness, we can use it to improve
- Nerve irritability
- Muscle recruitment
- Concentrations of chemicals in the tissue that can cause pain.
A rounded filament is a tool that does not have an opening, which is different than what is used for an injection, where the needle has a hole to allow the distribution of a substance. Because the tool is rounded, it bounces off most structures, like nerves and blood vessels, and does not often result in bleeding.
To better explain, consider this analogy. If someone I love is having a heart attack, I would not do three hours of chest compressions. Instead, I would get to the condition’s root cause and use an AED to improve cardiac rhythm if appropriate. Similarly, the tool repolarizes the muscle and helps us restore the muscle’s normal rhythm.
I can personally attest to the relief it brings to body pains when part of a comprehensive treatment plan. The improved speed of recovery and the extent of results the tool can offer are truly remarkable. It’s a comforting thought for my patients as they work towards their goals.
Advocacy for Dry Needling
As stated, PTs could only begin to practice dry needling this year. Arduous efforts by leaders in our practice, notably many RET Physical Therapy & Healthcare Specialists (RET PT) providers, helped us advance this part of our practice by meeting with state legislators and collaborating with other healthcare professionals. This collaboration and stewardship moved me as a shareholder in the approach to patient care. When we work together, we can accomplish so much.
It has also inspired me to see that RET PT is a leader in hosting coursework that helps my colleagues and me develop, offering training with our esteemed nationwide partner, Evidence in Motion. Evidence in Motion provides exceptional continuing education to physical therapists, empowering us to practice at the top of our license.
Dry Needling Services in Washington
RET PT is proud to offer dry needling services at various clinics across Washington. For more information about dry needling therapy or physical therapy in general, please don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us today. We’re here to help you understand your options and make informed decisions about your health.
