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.

Effective – 2/9/17 – Dry needling by a Physical Therapist in NJ is no longer allowed.

The Attorney General of New Jersey has written an opinion that dry needling is NOT within the scope of practice for the physical therapist in NJ even though the NJ Board of Physical Therapy Examiners has ruled it to be a skill included in manual therapy.  Effective immediately, the physical therapists trained in the skill at db Orthopedic Physical Therapy will stop performing this technique until the ruling is argued or legislative relief occurs.  Thousands of patients across NJ have been benefiting from this therapy tool for several years without one reported incident of injury or adverse affect report to the NJBPTE.  Patients are encouraged to contact their legislator to voice an objection to a non-drug source of pain control performed by many other physical therapists legally in several states.  This is clearly a case of a turf battle with other practitioners trying to limit availability for patients.  More to come

Snow coming 2/9/17! Here are some tips to reduce your chance of injury

  1. Warm up your entire body 1st before heading outside.  This can include arm circles, jumping jacks, burpees, leg swings, jog in place.  Increasing your body temperature will improve muscle function out in the cold.
  2. Hydrate before shoveling snow.  Attempt to drink 3-4- 8oz glasses of water 2-3 hours before heading outside.
  3. Use an ergonomically designed shovel to reduce stress on the low back.  If heavy snow, take sections to complete and rest in between.
  4. If using a snowblower, push with arms close to your body and drive with legs letting machine do the work.
  5. Every 10-15min, perform 5-10 backward bends to reduce stress on low back.
  6. Finish the work off with some hot soup or hot chocolate and lightly stretch muscles on floor in front of your fireplace!

Be safe and call dbOrtho PT if any pain develops that does not resolve.  Remember, no referral or prescription is required to see a physical therapist for immediate pain interventions.  Lincroft 732-747-1262   Manalapan 732-462-2162