Introduction
Dr. Mark Scappaticci is one of the experts who are working closely together with HumanMotion. He is also one of the industry leaders joining our first European Functional Movement Summit many years ago. Dr. Scappaticci has more than 25 years of needling experience and is the originator of Functional Integrated Therapies as Functional Integrated Needling – A Biomedical Approach. He manages recovery and performance optimization for top professional and amateur athletes from around the world. We were pleased to ask him some questions.

What is FIT?
FIT is short for Functional Integrated Therapy, a treatment system that I developed to identify and treat injuries and barriers to athletic performance. The system involves functional testing to find the problem areas, treatment integrating various modalities to optimize biomechanics and function, and training to help strengthen the correction. Our focus here is on the integrated treatment aspects of the system.

What’s the advantage of FIT treatment and why do you believe in it?
The main advantage of FIT as a treatment approach and the reason that we have had so much success with our patients and athletes is the way it integrates a number of manual treatment modalities that when combined, appropriately address all of the factors to optimize bio-mechanics and function. For example Functional Integrated Needling and Synergy Performance Taping methods are used to address abnormal nervous system function. Tissue Tension Release technique and other myofascial release therapies and Fascial Abrasion Technique improve soft tissue dysfunction. Finally joint mobilization and manipulation techniques improve joint dysfunction. Some of these needling, taping and fascial release techniques are unique to the FIT system.

How does it work?
The FIT system works so well because it gets the nervous, soft tissue and joint systems, each and together, to function normally, hence optimizing biomechanics and performance. FIT works by addressing each component of biomechanics required for optimal function. Normalizing function and understanding and treating the body in an integrated way are the key tenets of the FIT system. This approach, when applied to injuries and painful musculoskeletal conditions helps accelerate recovery as well as decrease pain. The appropriate application of the treatment modalities is what has produced the improved outcomes our patients and athletes continually report.

3. Dry needling is one of the therapies. What is it and what can it be used for?
Within the Functional Integrated Therapy system, we apply Functional Integrated Needling which is a unique, contemporary approach to dry needling that I developed based on my clinical work with athletes and patients over the last 20 years.

My Functional Integrated Needling approach takes the best of various dry needling modalities, including the insertion of needles into trigger points – or – trigger point needling. Trigger point needling results in improved blood flow and increased oxygen delivery to the tissue, which helps to alleviate the trigger point and improve the soft tissue dysfunction in the area.

Is there difference in the way you needle?
Different needling systems use different insertion and needle manipulation techniques. For example, some techniques require they illicit a muscle twitch response during insertion, or others, a deep achy sensation. My Functional Integrated Needling system promotes comfort with as little sensation as possible and still achieve the desired physiological benefits of dry needling. Occasionally there will be a pinch sensation if the needle touches a nerve or small blood vessel. This is normally very short lived.

Do you always start your treatment plan with Functional Integrated Dry Needling?
Personally I like to start with dry needling of trigger points first. The effects on the soft tissues and nervous system make the identification and release of tight tissues much easier for me and for the patient.

Are there any side effects?
The side effects with needling sometimes include muscle soreness, perhaps similar to having a workout. Sometimes bruising can occur if a needle is inserted into a blood vessel. Potential risks are fainting and the most serious, but most rare risk is a pneumothorax or a collapsed lung. My Functional Integrated Needling courses include strict safety precautions and guidelines to avoid these serious risks. Also, something that we often take for granted or overlook is that a deep understanding of underlying anatomy not only supports effective diagnosis and treatment, but also underscores understanding how to avoid needling risks. My needling courses include a focus on anatomy, taught in an innovative and memorable way.

How does Functional Integrated Dry Needling fit within the entire rehabilitation program?
Restoring nervous system function is very important, so much so that I venture to say that excluding this component may slow optimal recovery. I think there are benefits to using dry needling in all (from early to the final) stages of rehabilitation.

Why should people come to your Dry Needling course and are they able to use Dry Needling therapy directly after the course?
When I teach dry needling workshops, participants very commonly report that they were able to immediately apply the techniques and realize patient benefits the very next day in their practice. This is one of our main aims and also a key feature of how the course has been designed. The one-weekend program addresses anatomy, safety, how needling works, pain mechanisms, needling techniques, needling sites in all regions of the body, and safety (as mentioned above) all within a highly practical and applied approach. This means that concepts and important theoretical information are always directly applied in practice and that course participants focus on building proficiency and comfort with needling.

Last but not least - Why should people come to your Functional Integrated Therapy week in The Netherlands?
For myself, I always want to learn about how I can improve patient outcomes, using the best and most effective approaches. I feel that HumanMotion and myself have a great deal of experience to share so this week will be a great opportunity for clinicians to deepen their understanding of why and which approaches will provide the greatest benefit for their patients!

THANK YOU!

Would you like to learn more from Dr. Mark Scappaticci himself and learn hands-on how you can apply his Functional Integrated Therapies as Dry Needling for sport injuries and other myofascial release therapies and Fascial Abrasion Technique? Join us in April and register via humanmotion.eu