I practice acupuncture in New Jersey. According to the our state laws, "Acupuncture is the stimulation of points by the insertion of needles (plus adjunctive therapies)." "Physical Therapy is intervention by means of manual therapy techniques (plus mechanical modalities)."
PT's are not licensed to insert needles. Those that claim they are doing dry needling are not using "PT needles," they are using acupuncture needles.
My recollection is that the term "dry needling" resulted from the abandonment of fluid filled hypodermic needles. Dr. Janet Travell, a cardiologist, noted that the heart pain that some of her patients were experiencing was the result of tight pectoral muscles (trigger points).
Injecting lidocaine via hypodermic needles treated the pain. It was later discovered that using the needle without pain medication was just as effective. This was called dry needling.
Dr. Mark Seem, of the Tri-State College of Acupuncture, conferred with Dr. Travell about using acupuncture needles (much thinner) to treat trigger points. This was very effective.
Those of us who graduated from his school had many, many hours of practicing this style, plus the Clean Needle Technique procedures.
It in an insult to our knowledge and experience that anyone with much less hours of instruction can be allowed to use acupuncture needles. This treatment should only be allowed within the scope of practice of acupuncture.
Another approach to regulate the Yang Ming / Tai Yin circuit is to use an extraordinary vessel (EOV) approach. EOV treatments can be essential in a long-haul post-viral state, as they can help restore integrity to the body’s energetic system on the deepest level. Various combinations can be helpful; however, combining Chong Mai with Ren Mai is a good place to start, as it can help to regulate the gut (Chong Mai) and the lungs (Ren Mai).
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Joseph Audette, MD, MA;
Sam Audette, LAc, Dipl. OM
The NCCAOM is excited to announce the completion of its 2023-2024 Job Analysis (JA) Executive Summary report. The JA is a pivotal initiative aimed at defining the core knowledge, skills, and abilities required for competent practice in the acupuncture and herbal medicine profession. The data collected from this survey is essential for updating the NCCAOM exam content outlines at the entry-to-practice level, ensuring the certification exams are relevant, fair, and legally defensible.
As we move into the Year of the Snake, let’s embrace the snake’s deep-thinking nature and ask ourselves four important questions, all of which relate to a single journey: advocating for our medicine by educating others about its value. Now is the time for all acupuncturists to come together to strengthen the profession, share knowledge, advocate for advancement – and help more patients access you as a vital element of their whole-health care.
