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Allied Health Professions Act, 1982 (Act No. 63 of 1982)

Board Notices

Safety Guidelines: Chiropractic and Osteopathy: Dry Needling (Myofascial trigger point therapy using fine filament needles)

5. Anatomical Considerations

5.2 Lower back region

 

(1) Longissimus thoracis and Iliocostalis thoracis

Patient should be positioned prone, MFTP bracketed against a rib and needle directed towards rib using a 0.25x25mm needle [27].

 

(2) Multifidus and other paraspinal muscles

The patient must be side lying, the needle should be directed inferomedially to the lamina of the vertebra below and using a 0.25x25mm needle [27].

 

(3) Abdominal muscles

For the muscle where it overlies the ribs use the bracketing technique and short needles (0.25x13mm) [27]. The rest of the abdominals should only be DN if a pincer grasp can be used to draw the muscle away from the peritoneal cavity to protect the organs [21].

 

(4) Latissimus dorsi

Patient must be placed side lying, while using a 0.25x25mm needle size and pincer grip [27] needle away from the thorax.

 

(5) Quadratus lumborum

The insertion of this muscle onto the 12th rib must not be needled [27]. Care must be taken to avoid penetrating the kidney, this muscle is deep and the clinician must be familiar with the local anatomy [29].