A little Monday Morning Advocacy from the Coalition for Safe Acupuncture Practice

I received this in an email newsletter this morning and I believe it is important to get this information out. While crossover practice exists in multiple western medicine disciplines, proof equivalent training is always part of the equation. I have long maintained there is a problem with MDs, DOs, DPTs, and DCs being able to take a quick (if any) course of acupuncture and have it fold into their scope of practice. Stating that techniques like dry needling are not TCM and therefor do not require TCM theory is fine, however there is ample training in technique and clinical supervision that is necessary regardless of the guiding theory. By that rational, anyone who draws blood, administers injections, pierces body parts, gives tattoos, or otherwise has a needle meeting skin as part of their discipline should be eligible to take a course for a few hours and hand their shingle. If that does not sound like a good idea, neither should this . . . 

Please join us in responding to Dry Needling...  

Dry Needling for Pain Management, as developed by Yun-Tao Ma, PhD., is a 24 classroom hour work-shop designed for Physical Therapists who wish to use Dry Needling in their patient practice. After completion of Dry Needling for Pain Management, Physical Therapists are encouraged to insert needles into their patients as part of their treatment protocols. Dry Needling is,by definition, the insertion of solid, acupuncture-type needles into body tissue. Dry Needling technique is acupuncture technique.  

Training in Dry Needling, as provided to Physical Therapists, does not include the 6 hour Clean Needle Technique safety course and Clean Needle certification exam that all Acupuncture students must complete and pass. Training in Dry Needling, as provided to Physical Therapists, does not include the 150 hours of clinical observation plus 118 hours of needling technique classroom instruction required of all Acupuncture students prior to beginning their clinical internships. Training in Dry Needling, as provided to Physical Therapists, does not include the Illinois state mandated additional 660 hours of needling and acupuncture technique practice that all present Acupuncture students must complete while being supervised by Illinois State licensed acupuncturists at an ACAMO-accredited and Illinois state approved educational institution.  

The Coalition for Safe Acupuncture Practice (CSAP) seeks to bring attention to the inadequacy of clinical, classroom and Clean Needle Technique instruction received by Physical Therapists who are using Dry Needling in their treatment practices. Please read the CSAP mission statement at end and consider joining us so that we may bring social awareness to this public health issue.

CCAOM Position Paper on Dry Needling 

American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Position Statement of Acupuncture Trigger Point Dry Needling and Intramuscular Manuel Therapy