What Is Dry Needling:
Many people ask what the difference between Dry Needling and Acupuncture is. Dry Needling is a treatment technique where an acupuncture needle is penetrated into the skin to help stimulate the muscular and connective tissue to assist with decreasing pain and improving function through the release of myofascial trigger points (Knots in the muscle).
This technique is one of many used by trained acupuncturists. Due to its high clinical effectiveness, today physios, chiros and massage therapists have incorporated the use of Dry Needling in their treatments.
Did you know:
To perform Dry Needling any practitioner other than a registered Acupuncturist (physio, chiro, massage) can simply start practising on a patient. ‘Weekend courses’ have become available, but there is no minimum education standard to pierce your body with a needle. A registered Acupuncturist invests a majority of their 4-year Bachelor degree learning how to safely and correctly perform Dry Needling and other Acupuncture techniques. When performed correctly, Dry Needling is very safe, however, if the needle depth is incorrect, even by just a few cms, serious injury may occur. Therefore it is important to visit a competent therapist with the right training.
Eric Drescher has been safely using Dry Needling techniques for almost 15 years.
Ask your therapist about their Dry Needling education to ensure you are receiving the safest and best level of care.
Ensure you are receiving the quality that is advertised:
A costly flaw had occurred in AHPRAs effort in protecting the public, where ‘Acupuncturist’ is the only protected term, but Acupuncture is not. Basically, this means that any therapist may tell you they are performing ‘Acupuncture’ without the actual mandatory training and qualifications of an Acupuncturist (4 Years full time studying Chinese Medicine). These statements are false and misleading the public into receiving inferior health care. Ask your practitioner who is performing ‘Acupuncture’, if they are registered with AHPRA as a Chinese Medicine Practitioner and make sure you are getting what you pay for.