Frequently Asked Questions, Answered By Our Professional Physical Therapists

The physical therapists at Bethesda Physiocare® have advanced credentials in the technique of dry needling. Not only do we use the technique in our clinic, but we also teach dry needling courses throughout the USA and abroad through Myopain Seminars. Did you know that in 1997,  Dr. Jan Dommerholt taught the first dry needling courses in the United States, a long time before most physical therapists had even heard of dry needling? If you have any questions, take a look through this page to find answers. You can also give us a call to set up an appointment with one of our highly-skilled physical therapists!

What are the specialties/credentials of each PT?

• Our physical therapists are Doctors of Physical Therapy and highly trained professionals. In addition, they have many other credentials, including certifications in dry needling, Diplomate of the American Academy of Integrative Medicine, Board Certified in Orthopedic Physical Therapy

How soon can I be seen?

• It varies based on the physical therapist’s availability and schedule

Can you refer me to someone in another city/state?

• You can visit Myopainseminars.com to find a clinician certified in dry needling in your state.

What do we specifically treat?

• Bethesda Physiocare treats a broad range of problems and conditions, including back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) with hypermobility, fibromyalgia, migraine, and tension-type headaches, neck pain, TMJ/TMD, myofascial pain, pelvic pain/dysfunctions, osteoporosis, and many others.

Are there ailments we do not treat?

• We treat all ailments.

Can we treat clients of all ages, especially younger children?

• We treat children as young as 7 or 8 years of age. For dry needling, the minimum ages are about 12-14 for girls and boys respectively.

How often do patients usually see a PT per week?

• Patients typically visit 1-2 times a week for 4-6 weeks.

What is the average length of time patients come to the practice?

• The average time varies per patient, it depends on the scope of the treatment area and the patient’s commitment to recovery.

How long is a treatment session?

• Each treatment session is between 30-60 minutes. The physical therapist will determine the length of the session.

Can you tell me about your practice?

• Our practice is unique from how we identify and assess the reasons for a patient’s discomfort, to the tailored solution we design for each patient. Bethesda Physiocare developed technology-enhanced techniques from our years of experience, research, and innovation to free people from chronic pain and restricted movement.

How are insurance claims submitted?

• Insurance claims are mailed directly to the insurance provider the next business day.

How long does insurance typically take to reimburse patients?

• Insurance typically takes 6-8 weeks to reimburse patients.

How much will insurance reimburse me?

• Reimbursements vary based on the contract your employer has with the insurance provider

How are you different from other PT practices?

• We identify the root cause of a patient’s discomfort and create an individualized treatment plan. Our therapists have set the standard in dry needling. Instead of boring, old-fashioned exercise regimens, we provide fun, hands-on, personalized attention from a highly trained therapist to achieve improved mobility, health, and performance.

How does dry needling differ from acupuncture?

• There are many similarities and differences between dry needling and acupuncture. Licensed physical therapists in a growing number of states can use dry needling under the scope of their practice. Our Physical therapists are not licensed acupuncturists and do not practice acupuncture, dry needling is strictly based on Western medicine principals and research.

What is dry needling?

• Dry needling is an invasive procedure in which a thin solid filament needle is inserted into the skin and muscle directly at a myofascial trigger point. A myofascial trigger point consists of multiple contraction knots, which are related to the production and maintenance of the pain cycle.