The choice is clear when considering training and experience.
Dr. Erika Patterson, PT, DPT, OCS has been practicing dry needling for age group, collegiate, and professional athletes for nearly 8 years. She was trained by Dr. Jan Dommerholt with Myopain seminars. Myopain Seminars was one of the first accredited training programs in the USA and continues to be the most comprehensive, rigorous training in the USA. Myopain seminars instructors have at least 10 years of clinical experience, a board specialty certification, and a minimum of 5 years of clinical dry needling experience.
There are now multiple companies offering dry needling training, using more than a handful of names like "functional dry needling" and "integrated dry needling," even more confusing is the fact that their requirements are vastly variable. For example, some programs now offer certification in 2 days, during a weekend course and limit instruction to a few, selected body parts/regions.
Scary.
If you still need convincing keep reading.
Myopain Seminars Drs. Jan Dommerholt, PT, DPT and Robert Gerwin, MD studied and worked with the founding Drs. Of dry needling, Drs. Travell and Simons. Dr. Jan Dommerholt of Myopain Seminars has published the only textbook on Trigger Point Dry Needling together with Cesar Fernández-de-las-Peñas. Additionally, Dr. Jan Dommerholt also assisted in authoring the white paper stance on dry needling for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) when it was officially recognized by the APTA as within the scope of physical therapy practice. Dr. Dommerholt continues to stand on the front line, going to bat for therapists in states whose practice act still prohibit dry needling.
Dr. Dommerholt and the instructors of Myopain Seminars have published more books, book chapters, peer-reviewed studies and articles, case reports, and literature reviews than course instructors of all other US course programs combined! Some course instructors from some other course programs have never published.
Dr. Patterson studied and practiced dry needling with Dr. Dommerholt at Myopain Seminars for a full year, completing 7 courses, passing verbal, written, and practical examinations before incorporating the intervention into her clinical practice. She was trained on ALL body parts, and regions over the course of the year. Head, neck, and face (think TMJ dysfunction), cervical and thoracic spine, including tricky rib dysfunctions, the back, hips, and the entire upper and lower extremities. Dr. Patterson continues to consult with Dr. Dommerholt on a regular basis on challenging cases.
Still haven't heard of dry needling? Or wondering if you could benefit?
Reach out to Dr. Erika Patterson, PT, DPT, OCS Info@shortnorthpeakperformance.com
Author Bio:
Dr. Erika Patterson, PT, DPT, OCS
Dr. Patterson is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, APTA board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist,
with advanced certifications in manual therapy, dry needling, RPR, and specializes in Endurance & Multi-Sport Athletes.