Is dry needling acupuncture?
Acupuncturist are trained in dry needling, while other professions train in dry needling they are not trained in the medical practice of acupuncture. For example, they cannot treat digestive issues, anxiety, allergies with needles like acupuncturists, dry needling is for the treatment musculoskeletal issues. Similarly, when a physical therapist does dry needling, they don't have the same education as a medical doctor but they have the same basic training in dry needling. While some medical doctors receive training in medical acupuncture, dry needling is a different certification. In a nutshell, there is overlap for all professions that practice dry needling. The basis of dry needling is knowledge of anatomy and applying needling techniques to relax tight or bound muscles to reduce pain. Like all medical professionals, acupuncturist have the similar premed education that includes anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, Western pathology to name a few. Acupuncturist are unique in that they have learned two full medical systems, Eastern medicine and Western medicine.
Dry needling was originally inspired by the practices of acupuncture orthopedics developed over the last several millennia combined with modern physical medicine. Janet Trevell created the practice of dry needling when she teamed up with sport medicine acupuncturists during her work developing text books and treatments protocols for myofascial pain and dysfunction. Much of the early research used as evidence for the practice of dry needling is based on the positive results of acupuncture studies on pain relief. The practice of dry needling allows other health professionals wanting to practice a subset of acupuncture without completing a full 4 year master degree in acupuncture.
The current training standards for dry needling for non-acupuncturist is still being determined. In some states the current standard for the practice of dry needling offers minimal training without a regulatory agency or examining board to monitor public safety and competency. Conversely, the profession of acupuncture is highly regulated and has maintained the best safety ratings of most healthcare professions due to the high level of training and safety standards for acupuncturist nationwide. Choosing an expert with extensive training in the practice of needling ensures that your treatments are extremely safe, effective and pain free. Acupuncturists are master needlers.
Please read the following document for more specific information on dry needling.
"The relationship between Acupuncture and Dry Needling: Clarifying myths and misinformation"
Dry needling was originally inspired by the practices of acupuncture orthopedics developed over the last several millennia combined with modern physical medicine. Janet Trevell created the practice of dry needling when she teamed up with sport medicine acupuncturists during her work developing text books and treatments protocols for myofascial pain and dysfunction. Much of the early research used as evidence for the practice of dry needling is based on the positive results of acupuncture studies on pain relief. The practice of dry needling allows other health professionals wanting to practice a subset of acupuncture without completing a full 4 year master degree in acupuncture.
The current training standards for dry needling for non-acupuncturist is still being determined. In some states the current standard for the practice of dry needling offers minimal training without a regulatory agency or examining board to monitor public safety and competency. Conversely, the profession of acupuncture is highly regulated and has maintained the best safety ratings of most healthcare professions due to the high level of training and safety standards for acupuncturist nationwide. Choosing an expert with extensive training in the practice of needling ensures that your treatments are extremely safe, effective and pain free. Acupuncturists are master needlers.
Please read the following document for more specific information on dry needling.
"The relationship between Acupuncture and Dry Needling: Clarifying myths and misinformation"
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