In January 2025, I announced that my blogs will concentrate on Sue Falsone’s book, Bridging the Gap from Rehab to Performance. I will focus on Chapter 2, The Pain Generator, this month. Pain is a complicated phenomenon that has an impact on people both emotionally and physiologically. We regularly see patients in pain, such as […]
For individuals affected by Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD), the search for relief from the discomfort can seem never-ending. TMD is the 2nd most common musculoskeletal pain, with low back pain being the first. About 33% of the population has at least one TMD symptom, and 3.6 to 7.0% of the population has TMD with sufficient
Unlocking Relief: TMJ Dysfunction with Dry Needling Read More »
Dry needling is a powerful tool that physical therapists, athletic trainers, and chiropractors can utilize to address musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. While teaching dry needling courses for Structure & Function Education®, one of the most common questions I get is how dry needling works. Dry Needling is a technique that involves inserting thin, monofilament needles
Physiologic Perspective on the Local Effects of Dry Needling Read More »
Thoughts were stimulated by :Williams, Christi L., Sue E. Curfman, Stacey R. Lindsley, Christian R. Falyar, and Ryan C. McConnell. “Inferior-Medial Dry Needling at the Thoracolumbar Junction: A Cadaveric Study.” International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy 19, no. 10 (October 1, https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.123477. When Structure & Function Education® teaches any technique, we always cover the safety
Dry Needling the Spine: A Closer Look at Safety and Technique Read More »
The field of sports medicine is a complicated tapestry made up of threads from numerous healthcare professions, including physical therapy, athletic training, and chiropractic. Although each discipline offers specialized knowledge, these occupations frequently function independently, which might impede collaboration and prevent the best possible patient care. In 2025, my blogs will focus on a solution
The holiday season is a time for singing songs, making cookies, and catching up on studies. Forget the five golden rings; we are opening something more critical this year. Twelve days of cutting-edge dry needling research. Consider this your gift guide for enhancing patient care in the coming year! Like the 12 Days of Christmas,
The 12 days of dry needling, a gift guide for 2024 Read More »
Dry needling has emerged as a popular intervention for musculoskeletal pain. This technique, involving the insertion of fine needles into anatomic locations around nerves and muscles, aims to alleviate pain and improve function.1–3 However, for individuals living with diabetes, this practice isn’t without its considerations and potential risks.4 Let’s delve into six critical factors that
The Top 6 Risks of Dry Needling for Individuals with Diabetes Read More »
Introduction to vibration therapy’s physiological impacts Vibration treatment works primarily through mechanical stimulation of muscle and neurological components. Whole body vibration (WBV) and focal vibration (FV) therapy are both types of vibration therapy that differ in how they deliver vibrations to the body and have differing effects.1 When administered, these vibrations cause rapid and repetitive
Top 3 reasons to use vibration therapy in rehabilitation Read More »
This is a comprehensive overview and evidence based practice review for treating low back pain using the Stecco developed model for the Fascial Manipulation Method®. After giving a brief history on the development pf the Fascial Manipulation Method® we will discuss the basic principles using in their training methodology and how it can be applied to treating low back pain.
Treating Low Back Pain with the Fascial Manipulation Method Read More »
Insights from the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport and the recent NATA’s Bridge Statement on Management of Sport-Related Concussion. As we approach the beginning of football season, we must review our EAPs and the recommendations for the care of our high-contact athletes. As athletic trainers and sports medicine professionals, staying current with the latest guidelines and best practices is crucial for providing the highest standard of care. The 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport, held in Amsterdam in October 2022, has brought forth significant advancements in concussion management. This was quickly followed up by updates by the NATA through their bridge statement on the management of sports-related concussion. This blog will highlight key changes and offer practical tips for preventing and managing concussions in football.
Advancements in Concussion Management Read More »
As the summer winds down its important to remember arm care for young athletes for summer sports, especially for baseball and softball. These sports offer great competition and teamwork for young athletes but they also increase the risk of arm injuries. This is particularly true in young throwers. Understanding the epidemiology and etiology of these injuries is crucial for preventing them and ensuring long-term health and success for our young athletes.
Arm Care for Young Athletes for Summer Sports Read More »
As we exit National Headache Month, I want to discuss the need for combining multiple methods to treat headaches for most chronic headache sufferers. A patient can create a comprehensive approach with their healthcare practitioners using dry needling and fascial manipulation® techniques plus combine Stopain Headache products with at home exercises and other lifestyle changes to treat their chronic headaches.
Combining Multiple Methods To Treat Headaches Read More »
Headaches present in our clinics in many different fashions ranging from eye pain, tension in the base of the skull, and even accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. Different types of headaches may require a combination of multiple forms of treatment, but manual therapy and dry needling have been shown to play a diagnostic and effective role in reducing symptoms. The first step in treating various forms of headaches is to identify the type of headache in which the patient presents.
Treating Headaches with Dry Needling Read More »
Welcome to Women’s Health Month! This month, we celebrate women’s incredible strength, resilience, and vitality everywhere. It’s a time to prioritize your well-being and take proactive steps toward better health. Women often prioritize the health of those around them, but focusing on their needs is equally important. One common condition women suffer from is lumbopelvic
Multimodal Approaches to Treating Lumbopelvic Pain in Women Read More »
Chronic pain is a heavy load that can range from fibromyalgia to back pain and frequently prompts people to look for efficient alleviation. Many patients wanting relief for chronic pain still look for complementary therapies that address the underlying source of their pain, even if conventional treatments like medicine and physical therapy have certain advantages. Dry needling has become a viable method in recent years, offering specific pain alleviation to individuals with chronic pain.
How Dry Needling Can Unlock Relief For Chronic Pain Read More »
Dry needling has become a widely utilized therapeutic technique, offering clinicians a valuable tool for managing various musculoskeletal conditions. Amidst its benefits, it is crucial for clinicians to acknowledge and address potential complications. One such complication that gets a lot of discussion and focus is the risk of pneumothorax in dry needling. The concern around pneumothorax in the context of dry needling, despite its relatively low occurrence, stems from the potential severity of this complication. While pneumothorax may be considered rare, its consequences can be significant and, in some rare cases, even life-threatening if not promptly addressed.
Understanding and Mitigating the Risk of Pneumothorax in Dry Needling Read More »
Embarking on a journey to explore dry needling can be both intriguing and a tad overwhelming. Let’s walk through what patients experience during dry needling treatments, addressing common questions and shedding light on potential concerns.
What Do Patients Experience During Dry Needling Treatment? Read More »
In physical rehabilitation, self-efficacy is pivotal in determining an individual’s ability to recover and regain optimal function after injury. Self-efficacy is one’s belief in their ability to perform specific tasks or achieve certain goals. Self-efficacy has far-reaching clinical relevance in rehabilitation. This blog will explore the significance of self-efficacy in rehabilitation, the psychological and physiological aspects, and the various strategies and interventions that healthcare professionals can employ to enhance self-efficacy, empower our patients, and promote successful recovery.
Empowering Patients: The Power of Self-Efficacy in Rehabilitation from Injury Read More »
Informed consent is a fundamental ethical and legal concept in healthcare. It is a process that empowers patients by providing them with comprehensive information about their medical treatments or interventions, allowing them to make informed decisions regarding their care. In the context of therapy, informed consent is equally crucial. This blog explores the importance and necessity of informed consent for patients and therapists, shedding light on its significance in promoting patient autonomy, ensuring ethical practice, and mitigating potential legal risks. We will draw upon relevant literature and ethical principles to support these arguments.
The Vital Role of Informed Consent in Therapy Read More »
I was recently asked on a podcast a very interesting question. What are the requisite sets of knowledge and skills to be a safe and effective dry needler? It was a very interesting discussion where we discussed practice history, types of educational backgrounds and skills but my very fundamental and first clear line was a strong knowledge of anatomy and an appreciation for your patient’s anatomy. The relevance of anatomy to the dry needling practice is even more important as we start placing needles 3-dimensionally into the body. If you’re interested in this discussion you can check it out on The True North Podcast with Jaime Huestis.
The Importance of Anatomy to the Dry Needling Practice Read More »
