By Mitchell Clarke
A woman who trusted a Pakenham physiotherapist to relieve aching pain allegedly walked out with a collapsed lung and a complete loss of confidence.
Berwick’s Fiona O’Callaghan attended the Lakeside Physiotherapy in January 2018, after her first day back at work but four hours after her appointment, she was in the emergency department.
She intended on getting a massage on her aching neck and shoulder but was told dry needling, a technique where single-use needles are inserted into the muscle to assist in relieving tension and decreasing pain, could be the answer.
Different to acupuncture, osteopaths or physiotherapists can become qualified in the practice from a two day course. The practice isn’t protected under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law and therefore can be performed by non-registered practitioners.
“I had never heard of dry needling but I said okay, you’re the expert and it was under her advice,” Ms O’Callaghan said.
Following the appointment, Ms O’Callaghan felt discomfort and chest pain but assumed the physiotherapist might’ve just pressed “too hard” during the massage.
“I’ve never felt this pain before, it kept increasing and I had shortness of breath, I had no idea what was going on,” she said.
“I’ve been to a physio many times and never had a problem so I wondered what was different this time – and it was the dry needling.”
Medical notes provided to the Gazette show the physio performed dry needling on Ms O’Callaghan and inserted five needles into her trapezius area.
Ms O’Callaghan contacted the practice and claims the doctor was visibly “devastated” by the news.
“I had to go in to get the records released to me as they wouldn’t release them by email,” she said.
“The physio came out to speak to me and she had already heard about my collapsed lung. They were well aware of what happened to me.”
Ms O’Callaghan claims she hasn’t received an apology or recognition of the incident and is now seeking legal advice, hoping to be compensated for medical bills and ongoing pain and suffering.
An avid cyclist and talented piccolo musician, Ms O’Callaghan can no longer cycle or play the instrument like she used to.
It’s taken almost two years for the lung to slowly heal but doctors have advised that she’s at a significant risk of repeat due to the trauma sustained – a hard pill to swallow, as the 49-year-old, who is originally from Canada, has no family in Australia.
She claims she’s become disengaged with her loved ones.
“I feel isolated and alone trying to get through this and the thought that I can’t bring myself to getting onto a plane and potentially never seeing my family again just breaks me,” she said.
“I feel like I have had to suffer in silence because no one took this seriously or wanted to acknowledge or do anything to help me at the time.”
She felt compelled to tell her story out after hearing of a similar incident, when a Melbourne man almost died following the same procedure, and it’s believed they’re not the only victims.
Lawyer Stuart Le Grand from Le Grand Margalit Lawyers is calling on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to immediately investigate the practice of dry needling.
“We have received a flood of injury claims arising out of the practice of dry needling. Until it’s properly regulated, we believe it should be banned,” Mr Le Grand said.
“We act for a myriad of clients who have been injured as a result of dry needling, ranging from punctured lungs to needles breaking off in patient’s bodies. If it’s not done correctly, it can cause real harm.”
A spokesperson from AHPRA said these incidents appeared to be rare but urged any victims to raise their concerns with them.“
Registered practitioners who undertake dry-needling should ensure they are suitably trained and complying with their respective national board’s standards and guidelines.”
In a statement, Lakeside Physiotherapy said: “At this time we have no comment following the advice of our legal team.“
It’s understood the physiotherapist responsible is no longer working at the practice.
Ms O’Callaghan hopes her story could save others.
“If you are considering dry needling, please know what the risks are, because I didn’t know the warnings,” she said.
