Specialists in Physical Therapy & Treatment of Pain & Dysfunction
Dry Needling – Effective Treatment for Trigger PointsThe late David G. Simons, MD, co-author of the Simons, Travell, and Simons Trigger Point Manuals, stated, “Since no medical specialty claims skeletal muscle as their organ, it is often overlooked.”
Indeed, several studies have confirmed that myofascial pain is one of the most commonly ignored causes of persistent pain. Many of our patients report that previous healthcare providers rarely have included the detailed and specific muscle examination that is common at Bethesda Physiocare®.
The hallmark feature of myofascial pain syndrome is a so-called “trigger point,” which can contribute to prolonged pain and dysfunction. A common characteristic of trigger points is referred pain, which may confuse those clinicians who are not familiar with common referred pain patterns. Dr. Janet Travell, MD, perhaps best known as President Kennedy’s White House physician, has mapped out the referred pain patterns of most skeletal muscles.
Although trigger points and myofascial pain are poorly recognized worldwide, there is a growing number of scientific studies that confirm that trigger points are indeed a very common source of pain and dysfunction.
The physical therapists at Bethesda Physiocare® are very involved with researchers and clinicians worldwide and are among the world’s top specialists in myofascial pain syndrome. Dr. Jan Dommerholt worked with both Drs. Travell and Simons. Together with Dr. Simons, he published a quarterly myofascial literature review column for over 10 years.
Dry needling is one of the most effective treatment options to inactivate myofascial trigger points. It has demonstrated to be effective for many common ailments such as:
All physical therapists at Bethesda Physiocare® are certified in dry needling. In fact, Dr. Jan Dommerholt was the first physical therapist in the United States to teach trigger point dry needling courses and injection techniques to physicians, dentists, physical therapists, and other eligible health care providers. Several course instructors from other continuing education companies studied with Dr. Dommerholt. He has inspired countless other dry needling course programs around the world, an expertise that continues to advance and grow today. Dr. Dommerholt has published many articles and studies about dry needling.
For more information about dry needling and myofascial trigger point therapy, please do not hesitate to contact us.
