Dry Needling Now Available Without a Doctor’s Order

Dry needling is now offered as a stand-alone, cash-based service without a doctor’s order at Jefferson Community Health & Life Sports Medicine and Rehab Services.

Dry needling is a non-pharmaceutical therapeutic modality which uses a small filiform acupuncture needle specifically for treating and preventing soft tissue pain and dysfunction. Dry needling stimulates the healing process in soft tissues, leading to pain relief and restoration of tissue health and mobility. Dry needling can be beneficial for back pain, neck pain, headaches, TMJ pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, tennis elbow and many other diagnoses.

Callie Engler PT, DPT, Board Certified Orthopaedic Specialist, and Travis Kostal, PT, DPT, are both trained in trigger point dry needling for pain management.

“While it does not help every patient, for many patients who experience pain it can be a very helpful technique,” Engler said. “I have had many patients report great results.”

She said how often the area is treated depends on many variables, including how many needles are inserted during a treatment. Younger and healthier patients need 2-3 days between treatments, and older and weaker patients need 4-7 days between treatments. Sometimes patients may find relief after just a few treatments, but severe or chronic symptoms typically require more treatments.

The treatment can be done on those who are under 19 with parent permission.

Some patients may experience side effects, including syncope, bleeding/bruising, pneumothorax, post treatment soreness, drowsiness, and erythema.

There are times when dry needling is not something she would recommend, including: near surgical sites less than 4 weeks after surgery; near implants or joint replacements for at least six weeks; if the patient has problems with needles; or near open wounds. She would recommend extra caution with patients who are pregnant, have very high or low blood pressure, or have a fear of needles.

When dry needling is done as a cash-based service, insurance will not be billed and a physician order is not required. Dry needling with up to a 30-minute treatment session is offered for $40. Call 402-729-6840 to schedule or for more information.