Ross Clinic offers dry needling Published April 2, 2014 By 2nd Lt. Matthew Steele 17th Medical Support Squadron GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Providers at the Physical Therapy, Family Practice and Student Clinic within the Ross Medical Clinic here, received training on physical therapy called Trigger Point Dry Needling March 21. TDN is typically done in physical therapy clinics, but the Goodfellow clinic decided to train clinicians in multiple departments to expand the reach of this treatment option. TDN is a new procedure intended to reduce pain by treating trigger points in chronically tight muscles. Trigger points are hypersensitive spots found within a taut band of skeletal muscle or in the muscle's fascia, commonly referred to by patients as knots. Trigger points are typically associated with chronic pain, referred tenderness, limited range of motion and are painful upon compression. The primary goal of TDN is to desensitize or release trigger points, restore normal muscle function, and to induce healing in the target tissue. This is achieved by introducing sterile needles, ranging in length from 30 to 100 millimeters, into varying depths of muscle with a goal of obtaining a local muscle twitch response. The response releases the shortened muscle, essentially resetting it to a normal state. Typically, positive results are apparent within two to four treatment sessions but can vary depending on the cause and duration of the symptoms, overall health of the patient. Certification is attained through an intensive three-day, 24-hour course, including hands-on instruction and clinical practice. The provider must have extensive education and knowledge of the nervous, muscular and vascular systems as well as orthopedics in general to apply for training. TDN differs from acupuncture in that the latter is based on Eastern medical diagnosis, requiring training in traditional Chinese medicine. Ultimately, TDN works as an additional option to traditional physical therapy treatment centered on strength, flexibility and conditioning. For more information on dry needling or any other services offered by physical therapy, please call the 17th Medical Group Physical Therapy Clinic at 325-654-3632. A referral from your primary care physician is required to be evaluated for TDN services. Currently, due to high demand, only Active Duty members are eligible for care at the physical therapy clinic.
