The history of Dry Needling dates back to the 1940’s with Dr. Janet Travell who identified that muscular trigger points and referred pain patterns were helped with wet needling (with fluid injected). She later discovered similar results with the use of dry needling (needle only). Muscular trigger points are hyper irritable areas in the muscle and fascia that have shortened fibers. These areas can be palpated to produce a twitch response, or a localized contraction. Typically there is decreased blood flow to the center of these restrictions which can lead to further irritation, restriction and the pain cycle continues.

Dry needling has been reinstated in the state of Tennessee for Physical Therapists to provide this procedure to our patients. Dry needling uses a fine filament needle that is inserted into the trigger point or restricted tissue to help release the tension. Dry needling is based on neuro-anatomy and modern scientific study of the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. Dry needling works by causing a micro lesion within the restricted tissue thus breaking up shortened tissues, helps to normalize the inflammatory response, and centrally mediates the pain helping to break the pain cycle.

Many conditions can benefit from dry needling such as neck pain, back pain, restricted joint motion, shoulder and knee pain, arm pain (tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, golfer’s elbow), headache including tension type and migraine, jaw pain and limited opening, buttock pain, leg pain (sciatica, adductor/groin strains, hamstring strains, calf tightness), plantar fasciitis, fibromyalgia. Only physical therapists who have completed state approved certification can perform dry needling.

We are excited to offer this as another treatment option at Kerry Becht Physical Therapy and Massage, Inc. 1409 W. Baddour Parkway, Suite A, Lebanon, TN 37087 . Call us for an appointment (615) 444-1408. View for additional information and research articles It will be used in conjunction with our current pain treatment programs which include myofascial release, spinal and joint mobilization, manual therapy, therapeutic and stability based exercises, modalities, craniosacral therapy, and trigger point release therapy. Please see our website for additional treatment programs www.kerrybechtphysicaltherapy.com

Not all physical therapists are the same. Sure we all have our basic skills when we graduate from college, but what truly sets a therapist apart is their desire to learn and enhance their skills through continuing education and developing their intuition. I believe having a work setting that is a learning environment, mentorship to each other, and time to use more advanced skills are crucial for developing skilled clinicians. My name is Kerry Becht and I have been a physical therapist since 1994. I opened my private practice, Kerry Becht Physical Therapy and Massage, Inc., in Lebanon, TN in 2006. In the past 10 years we have grown to have 4 PTs, 1 PTA, 2 Licensed Massage Therapists, and an Office Manager.

Since I opened, we have always had extended treatment times and one on one individual time with our patients. Time is valuable to ensure proper diagnosis, that treatment is effectively executed, and our patients are educated on how to help themselves when not in therapy. We assess and treat the whole person because sometimes the source of the pain can be originating at an area away from the pain. For example, pelvic alignment issues can contribute to headaches, so we would need to treat the pelvic alignment as well as the head and neck. An ankle or foot issue can cause compensation at the knee, hip and lower back.

We treat ALL the same types of patients all other clinics treat, but our APPROACH is very different. Manual therapy techniques such as myofascial release (www.myofascialrelease.com), craniosacral therapy (www.upledger.com), spinal and joint mobilization, muscle energy techniques, and soft tissue mobilization take time to administer and be effective. Manual therapy is the core of our treatment with progressive functional based exercises and stretches. If you can eliminate the structural tightness, soft tissue restrictions, and stiffness, the movement of the area being treated will have better biomechanics, thus the exercises will be more effective. Just doing exercises and stretches alone will not correct structural restrictions in the spine, joints, muscles, or fascia (connective tissue). As the pain and structural limitations improve, core stability and functionally based exercises can focus on specific needs to restore strength, endurance, and balance.

In addition to orthopedic, post-op, and spinal issues that we treat, we also have therapists with specialized treatment in the following areas:

Certified Lymphedema Therapist, 2 Pelvic health and Women’s Health therapists, 3 PTs that treat vertigo, TMJ and headache treatment, pre and post-partum therapy, 2 certified Rock Tape Therapists, and we will offer DRY NEEDLING once approved by the state of Tennessee in May 2016. Our 2 massage therapists are also trained in myofascial release, trigger point release, essential oils (Raindrop Technique), and often see our PT patients once discharged to maintain their progress with the soft tissue improvement.

Give us a call at 615 444-1408 if you would like to schedule an appointment or have any questions. Or visit our website at www.kerrybechtphysicaltherapy.com