Dry Needling Opposition

I oppose the use of dry needling by non-acupuncturists and here’s why.

Is it unsafe for physical therapists to use dry needling?  Let me  say that there have been many states that have ruled that acupuncture should only be performed by licensed acupuncturists.  Safety is at the top of those concerns when this issue has been raised legally in the states that disallow dry needling.

I think of physical therapists practicing acupuncture without an acupuncture license because ‘dry needling’ is an acupuncture technique just given a different name.  We acupuncturists call this technique ‘lifting and thrusting of an ah shi point’ and we have specific indications and precautions when using this technique.

Another concern is that some physical therapists say they are practicing acupuncture to their patients per their patients.  Another client stated that the physical therapist inserted at least 70 needles into a small area of her back, each insertion being excruciating.  Is that even safe? She then said she was immobile with pain and totally out of commission for weeks to follow dry needling.  Many other clients have told me that the procedure of dry needling by the physical therapist was excruciating. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine/acupuncture is an intrinsically holistic health system.  We assess the entire body so if someone had muscle spasms chronically, we would treat their symptoms and the underlying issues creating tight muscles working towards reaching a healthy, sustainable system. 

In conclusion, I say lets allow only credentialed practitioners of acupuncture (Licensed Acupuncturists) to practice acupuncture in the manner in which it was created and to represent the broad scope of  healing  possibilities using this time honored medicine.

Susan Sandage,  Dipl. OM, L.Ac., RN