Physiotherapy Department Celebrates Dry Needling Certification of 28 Physical Therapists

28/06/2018

​

Twenty-eight physical therapists from our Physiotherapy Department are now certified dry needling graduates after being accredited by the Optimal Dry Needling Solutions (ODNS) and International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine, United States.

The physical therapists all completed 56 hours of didactic and hands-on coursework in dry needling and successfully passed practical examinations and submitted case studies in order to graduate from the course.

With the certification, the physical therapists can now use the ‘dry needle’ technique for expertly, cost effective and efficient treatment of myofascial (muscle) pain and movement impairments. Dry needling is a unique procedure intended to specifically target and restore muscle function, with an emphasis on improving tissue healing and restoring normal tissue function.

The technique uses a dry needle, one without medication or injection, inserted through the skin into areas of the muscle, known as trigger points. With myofascial pain syndrome, pressure on sensitive points in the muscles (trigger points) causes pain in seemingly unrelated parts of the body. This is called referred pain. Myofascial pain syndrome typically occurs after a muscle has been contracted repetitively. Dry needling is one of the most effective interventions in the restoration of muscle function.

The dry needling course has enabled physiotherapists to use dry needling to alleviate pain and improve clinical outcomes as is part of the Physiotherapy Department’s commitment to the professional development of its staff to improve clinical services.

These recent certifications will ensure that our patients in need of this technique will continue to receive the safest, most effective and most compassionate care that they truly deserve.