June 17, 2015
Batesville Rehabilitation is proud to announce that Lauren Lafferty, DPT, recently received certification to provide Functional Dry Needling. Lafferty is one of the few Physical Therapists in Mississippi certified to practice this type of therapeutic treatment.
Dry needling can relieve a range of musculoskeletal problems through the insertion of a small solid filament needle into “knotted” muscles, with the aim restoring their proper functions. It seeks to relieve the pain caused by musculoskeletal dysfunction by releasing the muscle spasm or “trigger point” that can occur in both acute and chronic pain. Research shows dry needling to decrease muscle contraction, reduce chemical irritation, improve flexibility and decrease pain thus breaking the pain cycle.
“I’ve seen very good results with some patients that were not responding as well to prior therapy,” says Lafferty, whose focus is in outpatient orthopaedic and sports rehabilitation. “I’ve seen a patient who was unable to exercise due to chronic hip and knee pain return to pain free training in just a few treatments.”
Lafferty became a certified Level 1 Functional Dry Needling provider in March 2015 through Kinetacore®. In addition she completed a second course in April. She is also certified in Active Release Technique®, a soft tissue management system for repetitive use injuries.
“Dry Needling with physical therapy has significantly improved my quality of life,” says Stan Smythe, a patient at Batesville Rehabilitation. “I’m able to work in the yard and play golf without back pain. I’m also sleeping better.”
A detailed musculoskeletal evaluation and movement assessment is performed to identify the source of dysfunction for treatment. The stimulation of these trigger points or dysfunctional tissues can “reboot” the muscle to alleviate both the original problem and secondary pain. Many patients experience dramatic pain relief and improved function after just a few treatments.
For more information about dry needling or Batesville Rehabilitation, call 662.563.2579 or visit our website at www.oxrehab.com.