Dry Needling
Dry Needling aims to release muscle tension, improve blood flow, and alleviate pain by triggering the body’s natural pain-relieving mechanism and healing response. This technique is based on modern anatomical and neurophysiological principles and may be used in conjunction with other manual therapy techniques to enhance its effectiveness.
Dry Needling, is also called Trigger Point needling and primarily targets muscle “knots”. In TCM, these local areas of stagnation and pain are called “Ah Shi” points, because they hurt when they are pressed. Stimulation at these points causes a reflex that resets the length of the muscle fibres, allowing them to return to their relaxed state.
Dry Needling, is promoted by physiotherapists, myotherapists and other manual therapy practitioners, as a unique part of their specific professional skill set and different to acupuncture. This is not correct.
Acupuncturists are the best health professionals to provide Dry Needling therapy.
Only registered Acupuncturists have attended the hundreds of hours of supervised practice and passed the requisite competencies to provide Dry Needling safely.
Those various manual therapists are very highly trained in anatomy, physiology, movement assessment, strength and conditioning, rehabilitation exercises, and manual therapy but NOT AT ALL well-trained in safe needle technique, many have only attended a weekend course.
Lung punctures and other needle injuries have increased in recent years, all caused by manual therapy “Dry Needle” practitioners - none by a registered Acupuncturist.
Dry Needling, directly into an area of pain is a small part of the holistic therapy provided by trained acupuncturists. Treating the underlying imbalance before clearing these areas provides longer-lasting results.
Dry Needling, is dangerous when performed by anyone other than a registered Acupuncturist, who have the highest level of training for safe needle technique.
"To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise, we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear."
— Buddha