ACUPUNCTURE... THE ORIGINAL DRY NEEDLING in WARRAGUL
- Warragul Wellness Centre

- Feb 21, 2019
- 2 min read
Kylee Junghans - Acupuncturist
Yep, you read that right... dry needling (DN ) is a form of acupuncture called ah shi needling (or as we say ah #@%! ), which was first noted around 2,600 years ago - hence, the original dry needling.
There is a push today by practitioners belonging to fields like physiotherapy, chiropractic, podiatry, osteopathy, myotherapy and even remedial massage, to claim that dry needling is not acupuncture... in fact nothing like acupuncture.
WRONG!!
DRY NEEDLING IS ACUPUNCTURE
Why would they do this, I hear you ask???
Because only a REGISTERED ACUPUNCTURIST is legally allowed to say they perform acupuncture.
If anyone other than a registered acupuncturist does, then it is considered (by AHPRA - the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency), as ‘holding out” - ie. pretending to be something they are not.
In the interests of public safety, this is a huge no-no! Hence dry needling or ‘physiopuncture’ or ‘chiropuncture’ or the like. Made up names for acupuncture.
Simple right??
Let’s lay it all out there..
Dry needling is based on science and acupuncture isn’t - FALSE
Acupuncture is the most scientifically studied modality, other than nursing, with 9000+ registered trials
Dry needling is better at musculoskeletal complaints than acupuncture - WRONG
All acupuncturists are taught ah shi needling, usually in their first year, as it is a very rudimentary form of needling. Find a sore spot, stick a needle in and bam - dry needling!
Dry needling can treat anything - NO
In Australia, health practitioners are tightly regulated when making therapeutic claims - again, by AHPRA, and for public safety. And why the bloody hell shouldn’t we be??? But here’s the rub... a person performing DN can make whatever claims they like! It’s quite ridiculous that a masseur can claim dry needling can 'cure’ or ‘treat’ whatever, when I would lose my licence to practice. Public safety??? AHPRA where are you when we need you???
Dry needlers are highly skilled - AHEM... GET THIS!!!
ANYONE can do dry needling in Australia. I can get myself, (or my dog, for that matter) a pretty certification in DN online. Like now. Push a few buttons and woo hoo!!! I’m a dry needling expert!
Acupuncturists train for over a 1000 hours - as in, hands on clinical training in needle techniques and safety alone, before they can be certified.
A 4 year Degree in Health Science.
Many, many hours of palpating, learning, watching and testing before we even get to insert our first needle.
DON’T RISK IT! ALWAYS ASK IF THE PERSON WHO WANTS TO NEEDLE YOU IS REGISTERED WITH AHPRA AS AN ACUPUNCTURIST. IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU, AFTER ALL!
Click here if you would like to know more.
https://www.key-acupuncture.com.au





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