2. Also in the series
ď http://www.slideshare.net/SubhanjanDas/introduction-to-dry-needling
ď http://www.slideshare.net/SubhanjanDas/2-brief-hisory-of-needling
ď http://www.slideshare.net/SubhanjanDas/3-superficial-dry-needling
ď http://www.slideshare.net/SubhanjanDas/4-indications-of-dry-needling
ď http://www.slideshare.net/SubhanjanDas/6-dangers-of-dry-needling
ď http://www.slideshare.net/SubhanjanDas/7-physiologic-background-of-dry-needling
ď http://www.slideshare.net/SubhanjanDas/8-dn-vs-acupuncture
ď http://www.slideshare.net/SubhanjanDas/9-electroacupuncture
ď http://www.slideshare.net/SubhanjanDas/10-legalities-involved-in-dry-needling
3. ď Dry needling poses certain potential risks to the
patient and therapists which are not associated with
traditional non-invasive physiotherapy treatment.
5. ď DN should be performed with special precautions
around thorax
ď needling is done obliquely and superficially.
Emphysematous patients have maximum risk.
ď A pincer grip should be utilised as in the case of the
upper trapezius, or needling over bone to protect the
lung as in the case of the scapula and ribs.
ď The risk of a pneumothorax is very small if proper
needling techniques are employed
6.
7. ď The risk of a pneumothorax is very small if proper
needling techniques are employed
8. Clinical features
ď Sudden and sharp chest pain
ď Breathing difficulty
ď Tight chest
ď Early fatigue
ď Tachycardia
ď dimished chest sounds
ď Low O2 tension
ď Low BP
9. Blood Vessels
ď with DN there is a potential of injury to blood vessels.
ď Palpating for a pulse to locate an artery prior to DN
minimizes the risk.
10. Nerve
ď with DN there is potential for injury to nerves.
ď Special consideration needs to be given in relation to
the spine and in the posterior sub occipital area
ď the brain stem is accessible through the foramen
magnum.
11. Organs
ď Anatomical knowledge of internal organs is important
as with DN there is potential for
ď injury to internal organs such as the kidney or
penetration into the peritoneum cavity.
15. ď rare but serious traumatic complications could be
avoided if practitioners had better anatomical
knowledge, applied existing anatomical knowledge
better, or both (Peuker and Gronemeyer 2001).