Dry Needling at Door County Acupuncture + Wellness

Holistic Caring Support for Pain, Chronic Conditions, Dismissed Symptoms, + more.

What is Dry Needling?


Dry needling is a term used mainly by physical therapists and chiropractors who are not licensed or certified as Acupuncturists, or allowed to use the term “Acupuncture” or “Acupuncturist”.

  • Dry needling training can be accomplished in as few as 12-20 hours.

  • There are no independent, agency-accredited training programs for "dry needling".

  • There are no regulations to inform the practice of "dry needling", either in Wisconsin or on a national level.

  • Dry needling is limited to use on sore and restricted muscles.

  • A dry needling practitioner may not use the term “acupuncture”, or “acupuncturist”, unless trained and certified as such.

  • Dry needling practitioners use the same needles that Licensed Acupuncturists use.

What is the difference between acupuncture and dry needling?

The difference between acupuncture and dry needling is mostly a matter of who is performing the technique, and whether they are allowed to use the terms "Acupuncture" or "Acupuncturist". Dry needling training can be accomplished in as few as 12-20 hours.

What is the same…

Acupuncture and dry needling both use the same FDA-regulated medical device specifically defined as an “acupuncture needle".

Acupuncture and dry needling both utilize the technique of inserting acupuncture needles into muscle tissue to relieve pain and soreness.

What is different….

“Know your practitioner”

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is performed by trained Acupuncturists and Chinese Medicine practitioners, as well as other medical providers that have completed specialized acupuncture training.

  • Licensed Acupuncturist training requires a minimum of 1,905 hours (3 academic years).

  • A comprehensive Oriental Medicine program requires at least 2,625 hours (4 academic years) These hours are divided among theory, clinical practice, biomedicine, and ethics. This is the training I received.

  • With proper training, Acupuncture is beneficial for a broad range of conditions, well beyond the scope of sore muscles.

  • Any Licensed Acupuncturist can perform dry needling. and use the term “dry needling”.


Dry needling

Dry needling is a term used mainly by physical therapists and chiropractors who are not licensed or certified as Acupuncturists, or allowed to use the term “Acupuncture” or “Acupuncturist”.

  • Dry needling training can be accomplished in as few as 12-20 hours.

  • There are no independent, agency-accredited training programs for "dry needling".

  • There are no regulations to inform the practice of "dry needling", either in Wisconsin or on a national level.

  • Dry needling is limited to use on sore and restricted muscles.

  • A dry needling practitioner may not use the term “acupuncture”, or “acupuncturist”, unless trained and certified as such.

  • Dry needling practitioners use the same needles that Licensed Acupuncturists use.

Resources

American Medical Association Statement

“Our AMA recognizes dry needling as an invasive procedure and maintains that dry needling should only be performed by practitioners with standard training and familiarity with routine use of needles in their practice, such as licensed medical physicians and licensed acupuncturists.”

https://policysearch.ama-assn.org/policyfinder/detail/dry%20needling?uri=%2FAMADoc%2FHOD-410.949.xml


National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine position on dry needling

https://www.nccaom.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/NCCAOM%20Dry%20Needling%20Position%20Statement.pdf

The American Alliance for Professional Acupuncture Safety (AAPAS) White Paper

https://www.nccaom.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/AAPAS%20White%20Paper%20on%20Dry%20Needling.pdf

American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) Position Statement on Trigger Point Dry Needling

https://www.aaaomonline.org/Dry-Needling-Position-Paper

American Traditional Chinese Medical Association Paper

https://www.nccaom.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/ATCMA Position Letter on Dry Needling.pdf

Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Position on Dry Needling

https://www.ccahm.org/images/ccaom/Documents/Position-Papers/Dry-Needling-Positiion-Paper.pdf

I’ve been asked about “dry needling” a lot lately.

Here are some thoughts and answers.

  • Yes, dry needling is one of many techniques available to a Licensed Acupuncturist.

  • Dry needling is a subset of, and pseudonym for, acupuncture.

    It is used mainly to treat sore, painful, and restricted muscles.

  • While I am trained and licensed to use dry needling, and do make use of it when appropriate, I generally don’t find it as effective as other techniques that are part of my training.

    I prefer to use techniques that result in less bruising, soreness, and discomfort for the patient, while simultaneously providing better clinical outcomes.