Allied Health Professions Act, 1982 (Act No. 63 of 1982)Board NoticesSafety Guidelines: Chiropractic and Osteopathy: Dry Needling (Myofascial trigger point therapy using fine filament needles)5. Anatomical Considerations5.2 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].