What is Dry Needling? “
“Dry needling” is a recently coined name for an acupuncture technique used by some physical therapists and other healthcare providers that involves the insertion of acupuncture needles directly into muscles and “trigger points” for the relief of musculoskeletal pain. Non-acupuncturists do not have the extensive training that Acupuncturists and some Medical Doctors have.
They claim that “dry needling” is “new” and “not acupuncture”, because the point locations and needling style are based on anatomical structures and physiological function rather than on traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture theory.
Licensed acupuncturists have practiced and documented this acupuncture technique, now referred to as “dry needling”, for decades in the US.
Acupuncture is the insertion of thin solid needles into anatomical locations to treat disease, injury, pain, or dysfunction, and to promote health and wellness, period.
In fact, licensed acupuncturists receive training in the application of both traditional foundations of acupuncture and modern biomedical theories and have done so since long before the term “dry needling” was invented. “Dry needling” is an advanced and invasive procedure. In the hands of a practitioner who has received limited and/or substandard training, it has the potential to cause great harm. It can be considered safe only when performed by properly trained and experienced acupuncturists. NCCAOM National Board-Certified Acupuncturists™ receive hundreds of hours in the core skills required to correctly perform invasive and potentially dangerous needling techniques, assuring their competencies to insert and manipulate acupuncture needles safely.