Adjunctive Dry Needling
Dry needling is an approved adjunctive technique that certified physical therapists perform for the reduction of pain emanating from a taut band and/or specific trigger points within one or more muscles. The medical literature strongly supports dry needling to augment pain reduction and improved muscle function in a variety of pain syndromes. I participated in the previous publication: Dry needling for management of pain in the upper quarter and craniofacial region. Current Pain & Headache Reports. 18(8): 437- 446, 2014. The article provides an in-depth explanation of the methodology, physiology and therapeutic benefit of dry needling when incorporated into a comprehensive treatment paradigm because I do not perform dry needling as a stand-alone application and do not add an extra fee when it is included in your treatment paradigm.
I have been fully certified in orofacial dry needling, known as CODN (Certified in Orofacial Dry Needling) by Myopain Seminars, Inc. since 2012.
CODN includes the application of dry needling to the cervical spine, shoulder girdle, masticatory and craniofacial musculature, the composite of which has been termed “Orofacial Dry Needling” because specific muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle also refer pain to the temporomandibular complex, orofacial and cranial regions.
I previously incorporated adjunctive dry needling into the therapeutic paradigm of my patients when indicated, with excellent benefit for 6 years, but it was placed on hold by the state of New Jersey in 2017 pending new legislation by the NJ Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (NJAPTA) to limit its use to PT’s who have obtained dry needling certification.
Adjunctive dry needling has been approved for use by certified physical therapists in many countries as well as about 40 states in the U.S. to date.
Bill S867 which now allows physical therapists to perform dry needling under certain circumstances was signed into law by Governor Murphy on January 18, 2022. Subsequent to approval, the New Jersey State Board of Physical Therapy was required to develop the regulations under which qualified physical therapists can commence utilizing adjunctive dry needling as part of their treatment paradigm.
New Jersey-licensed PT’s must now obtain 80 hours of didactic (40) as well as (40) hours of hands-on clinical training before they can perform dry needling. However, previously certified physical therapists with dry needling experience and certification are only required to obtain the 40 additional clinical hours and not the didactic component which I have now completed. I have also completed my CPR/AED re-certification on 7/2/2023.
Therefore, I am now able to currently incorporate this excellent adjunctive technique as part of my comprehensive treatment philosophy when indicated.
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