2014 Teleseminar Interview #8 - Edo Zylstra

2014 Teleseminar Interview &##x23;8 - Edo Zylstra

In this interview talks about progress in the field of dry needling over that past few years, how Functional Dry Needling (FDN) differs from other manual therapies physiologically and neurologically, using FDN to address painful and non-painful patterns through resetting muscle function, affecting joint mobility through FDN, as well as a couple great case studies. Edo also talks about the state of dry needling in the APTA and amongst the states, as well as what he would like to see in the future.

Members can download the interview HERE

For more info on Functional Dry Needling and course information, head on over to Kinetacore.com

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Clinical Pearl: Functional Anatomy

Edo Zylstra, originally posted at Kinetacore.com

As many of you know, functional anatomy has become a passionate obsession for me as a clinician and teacher. The term functional, although now being slightly overused, is a way to understand anatomy in a way that takes the "black and white 2-D anatomy" and converts it to the view of WHY does that attach there and why is it important in normal foundational movement.

An example that I often present in our courses is this abbreviated case illustrated with images.

Step 1.

Step 2.

Step 3.

This Military athlete had restricted active and passive right hip flexion, which had mild to moderate discomfort. He cycles 5000 miles and runs 2000 miles per year and is not very limited in those activities at this time. Physical exam indicated limitation of right greater than left of hip flexion, internal and external rotation. He also demonstrated a pinching pain and limitation with FADIR testing and a right greater than left positive Thomas Test. Of note, previous X-ray revealed superior acetabular osteophytes. During the course that he attended, we initially treated his posterior hip, as that was the schedule for training of the course. No change was seen in both passive and active hip flection.

The above pictures show the change in hip mobility secondary to treatment of the right rectus femoris with Functional Dry Needling of the Rectus Femoris. Participant indicated a significant intensity with twitch response during application of FDN. We immediately reassessed his mobility and found passive testing to be 90% improved. He was then assessed with weight bearing squat and significant improvement was also found (image 2) and with Reactive Neuromuscular Technique to initiate increased stability, the participant was able to squat almost to the floor with no discomfort (image 3).

The purpose of the brief case is to motivate clinicians to not only continue to study anatomy but the effects that anatomy has on functional/foundational movement.

BIO

Edo Zylstra, PT, DPT, MS, OCS, IMSp

Founder, Owner, CEO, Lead Instructor -- Functional Dry Needling®

Edo Zylstra was active in developing the current standards for Dry Needling (aka Trigger Point Dry Needling) training in Colorado. He has taught over 50 Dry Needling courses internationally and is currently developing more advanced techniques for therapists experienced in this manual therapy technique.

Edo Zylstra received his Master of Science degree in physical therapy from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. In 2005 Edo opened his clinic, KinetaCare, previously Sport & Spine Physical Therapy Brighton, in Colorado. Prior to opening his clinic he spent over four years working in a chronic pain clinic specializing in manual therapy utilizing Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS), and Trigger Point Dry Needling. He received his certification for Dry Needling from The Institute for the Study and Treatment Of Pain (iSTOP) in Vancouver, British Columbia. Edo then took a second series of training courses through Pain and Rehabilitation in Bethesda, Maryland, where he learned Travell & Simons' techniques for diagnosis and treatment of myofascial pain and trigger points. Edo was instrumental in the process of getting Dry Needling accepted as a treatment technique within the scope of practice for physical therapists in Colorado, and continues to do the same for other states that do not currently have Dry Needling within their physical therapy scope of practice.

In 2006 Edo developed and began instructing both Introductory and Advanced Trigger Point Dry Needling courses (now Functional Dry Needling®). In 2007 he joined Robert De Nardis to instruct Dry Needling courses in Australia, and in 2008 Edo and Robert founded GEMt, Global Education of Manual Therapists. As of 2010 the North American Branch was renamed KinetaCore®, of which Edo became the sole director, while Robert De Nardis serves as the director for the Australian branch, still named GEMt. Edo has a passion for functional dry needling and hopes to continue to educate therapists across the globe in this amazing technique so that patients who once had no access can now find a provider in their city and benefit from this treatment.

Edo received his board certification as an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist in 2011 and this past December, completed his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree through Regis University. Edo hopes that through his education and his passion for educating others, by the year 2020 the field of physical therapy will have elevated to the respected level it deserves.