Hip pain – dry needling vs. cortisone injection

A recent study in the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy found that cortisone injections to the lateral hip in the trochanteric bursa did not provide greater pain relief or reduction in functional limitations compared to dry needling performed by a physical therapist.  They concluded that the bursa may not be the source of the lateral hip pain and that it is injury to the muscles and tendons in the area that responded better to the dry needling technique.  Click below to read the JOSPT Perspectives for Patients.

hip pain and dry needling – patient perscpective april 2017

Dry Needling update – NJ BPTE ruled today to allow a grace period before PT’s are required to stop performing dry needling.

In order to ensure continuity of care for the patients we treat, the NJ Board of Physical Therapy Examiners ruled today to allow a grace period tentatively set until Jan 31, 2018 before PT’s must stop performing dry needling in NJ in accordance of the NJ Attorney General opinion recently released.  After numerous patients testified, it became apparent to the BPTE members that an undo hardship is being passed upon the consumers of NJ currently benefiting from dry needling performed by their physical therapist.  The hardship would require these patients to travel long distances to Delaware or Connecticut where physical therapists are allowed to perform this procedure.

This grace period will allow the American Physical Therapy Association of NJ to push for permanent legislative relief and place the procedure of dry needling within the statutes of the Physical Therapy Practice Act.  Stay tuned for more information as it develops.

All 3 Physical Therapists at db Ortho PT are trained  in this skilled technique that has help hundreds of patients improve their functional levels.