With an illustrious career, spanning decades, Dr. Dommerholt is a globally renowned expert in the fields of dry needling, myofascial pain, chronic pain conditions, external focus exercise, and performing arts physiotherapy.

 

As a prolific author, Dr. Dommerholt has contributed significantly to the literature with four books, over 80 textbook chapters, and about 150 scientific articles. His works, some of which have been translated into multiple languages, delve into topics ranging from myofascial pain to complex regional pain syndrome, demonstrating his profound understanding and expertise in these areas. 

 

Dr. Dommerholt is a Lecturer at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science, Baltimore, MD, USA; an International Collaborator at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, in Tehran, Iran; and an International Advisor and Honorary Faculty of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, in Tehran, Iran. He is an Honorary Member of the Iranian Physiotherapy Association and the Polish Association of Invasive Physiotherapy.

 

Dr. Dommerholt's impact extends beyond academia, as evidenced by his numerous accolades and recognitions. He has received prestigious awards such as the Henry O. and Florence P. Practice Award from the American Physical Therapy Association and the Janet G. Travell Excellence in Education Award from the (US) National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists. 

 

In addition to his scholarly pursuits, Dr. Dommerholt is an active participant in the global healthcare community. He has conducted courses and lectures worldwide, sharing his knowledge and insights with audiences across the United States, Europe, Australia, India, Central and South America, and the Middle East. His expertise has earned him invitations as a keynote or plenary speaker at prominent conferences by esteemed organizations such as the American Academy of Orofacial Pain; the India Association of Physiotherapy; the International Pelvic Pain Society; the Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin; the ONCE School of Physiotherapy in Madrid, Spain; the Iranian Physiotherapy Association; the Physiokongress West, Essen, Germany; the Australasian Dry Needling Symposium; the Aspetar Sports Medicine Center, Doha, Qatar; the Congress Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain; the International Scientific Meeting on Myofascial Therapy in Belgium; the World Congress on Myofascial Pain and Fibromyalgia; the American Physical Therapy Association; the University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain; the International Fascia Research Congress; the Integramedica, Santiago, Chile; the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists; the Al Seef Hospital, Kuwait City, Kuwait; the Swiss Physical Therapy Association; the Bahrain Physical Therapy Association; the National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists; the Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back & Pelvic Pain; and many more.

 

Dr. Dommerholt's commitment to advancing the field is further demonstrated through his editorial roles and service on advisory boards for leading journals in physical therapy and manual therapy. He is also recognized for his role as an expert witness, providing invaluable insights for cases related to physical therapy, dry needling, biomechanical trauma, and low-speed motor vehicle accidents. He holds master’s degrees in biomechanical trauma and healthcare administration, and a doctorate in physical therapy.

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The Dry Needling Evolution: From Trigger Points to Scars, Spasticity, and External Focus Exercise

Dry needling is a very popular treatment approach worldwide, especially among physiotherapists and in Australia, of course, among myotherapists. Although Travell did not use dry needling technique routinely, her influence dictated that initially, dry needling was used primarily to address trigger points. 

 

Today, dry needling is used not only in the treatment of individuals with myofascial pain, but also for the treatment of patients with spasticity in a variety of neurological conditions, patients with cancer, and for patients with painful and restricting scars and fascial adhesions. Combing dry needling with other treatment options, such as external-focus exercise, even though this requires more research. 

 

Jan Dommerholt will review the evolution of dry needling and offer suggestions for the future.