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

Read this story in the Washington Post about BAD Physical therapy following Knee Replacement

Choose your PT wisely base don experience and recommendations.  Cranking on a knee replacement is not the treatment that works.  Skilled clinicians know that.  Here is a personal story from an MD that had a bad experience.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/a-doctor-with-a-bad-knee-runs-into-one-size-fits-all-medicine/2016/12/02/d5ba55c0-a6a2-11e6-ba59-a7d93165c6d4_story.html?utm_term=.6d56c1de844c