Eli Petrovich

Mr Darling
SEP
October 24, 2016
SEP Interview
Dry Needling

1. Why did you choose Physical Therapy?

a. I got major surgery on my ankle in high school because of an
injury in football. To rehabilitate my ankle I had to go through physical therapy,
and I was already interested in human anatomy and STEM fields.
2. What undergrad school and degree did you get?
a. I attended NAU honors college and majored in management. I took
all the prerequisites for physical therapy school.
3. What Physical Therapy school did you attend? Why?
a. I got my masters in sports medicine at NAU, and then attended
University of St Augustine, Florida to receive my Doctor of Physical Therapy. I
also received my board certification and certificate in manual therapy from
University of St Augustine.
4. Why did you choose the coast guard medical field?
a. I was in New Jersey and ran into a Coast Guard officer recruiter.
They had a vacancy for a Coast Guard physical therapist, so I applied and got the
job.
5. While in the Coast Guard where were you stationed?
a. I was stationed in New Jersey, Connecticut, New London, Coast
Guard Academy, North Carolina, San Francisco, Portsmith, and Virginia.
6. What is the strangest injury you have seen and treated?

a. Myelin damage through guillain-barre syndrome. This is the

shutdown of the nervous system through a malfunction in the immune system
leading to paralysis.
7. What is the Strangest practice you have seen performed?
a. Myofascial release and hypnosis are the two weirdest things I have
seen performed by licensed physical therapists.
8. Is there a specific reason why you chose Arizona for PT?
a. My wife is from here and I am from Arizona, plus the base was in
need of a contracted DPT so we decided it was the best choice.
9. Do you have any regrets concerning your career?
a. No, its incredible. The job Ive had and the experiences it has
brought are unforgettable.
10. Any wisdom or tips for high schoolers with an interest in PT?
a. Get good grades, well rounded, shadow a DPT, make sure its what
you want, and become an accredited DPT not just a masters degree program in
exercise science.
11. What is TDN?
a. Trigger Dry Needling is the practice of putting a thin needle in a
person's surrounding tissues to heal an affected area. Additionally, electricity may
be attached to the needle to stimulate the tissue.
12. Can any physical therapist perform dry needling?
a. No, only those with certification and whose state boards allow
them to perform it.
13. What is the biggest flaw concerning Dry Needling practiced by DPTs?
a. People sometimes request dry needling without recommendation
from their primary care physician, and a placebo effect then takes place where
their mind persuades the body that it is fine, and then injury recurs. This is
because they only do dry needling and dont stretch and strengthen their muscles.
14. Does the physical therapist affect the patient negatively through dry needling?
a. A lazy physical therapist can abuse dry needling; it is a practice
lasting around 20 minutes that requires little effort.

15. Where can one find information concerning safety and procedures of dry
needling?
a. There are state physical therapy boards for each states and they
outline are rules about dry needling. Also there are conventions held nationally
and in states for physical therapists that focuses on next generation techniques.
16. Does TDN cause any harm to the patient?
a. No, there is minimal tissue damage observed but it heals quickly
and results in healing of the injured area.
17. Is Dry Needling Acupuncture?
a. Dry needling is based off of western medicine and research
whereas acupuncture is mix of modern and traditional practice.
18. Are there any side effects from the treatment?
a. Yes, it is common for one to experience soreness and possibly
small bruising but it is unlikely.
19. What should a patient do after dry needling is performed?
a. RICE. Rest. Ice. Compress (not required). Elevate. Also applying
heat and gentle stretching may help.
20. Is there any advanced dry needling possible?
a. As previously stated an advanced way of dry needling is applying
electro shock to the needle to stimulate the area.