Why “Dry Needling” Is Problematic From A TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Lens.

Let’s talk about “dry needling,” shall we?
Dry needling has become a popularized technique amongst Physical Therapist and Chiropractors, and is described as inserting acupuncture needles into trigger points to provide muscular pain relief.

It’s especially prominent in the world of athletes and runners with related musculoskeletal injuries.

So what’s the problem?

It’s no secret that the topic of dry needling is a source of controversy between Acupuncturists and PTs.

PTs claim that dry needling is somehow different from Acupuncture, but it’s not. Most points are the same, and performed with substantially less education, as well as outside of their scope of practice. PT’s are performing Acupuncture without a medical license to do so, under the pretense of, “We understand anatomy.” Well, so do I, but then again I’m not performing adjustments, am I?
PTs have zero concept of TCM theory, combinations, actions or indications for using specific Acu points other than, “It hurts right there.”

Moreover, as Acupuncturists, we do perform “dry needling” (AKA, Acupuncture),but it’s named in Chinese an Ashi point, meaning it’s not a point associated with a channel or meridian, but we insert a needle there to increase blood flow to the area, which is literally the same thing as “dry needling,” but we do it as a part of a holistic treatment plan, not as a single act, which in truth will only provide temporary relief if you’re not addressing the root cause, which is what East Asian Medicine does.

Simply put, dry needling is a watered down, ripped off, white washing of East Asian Medicine, just like Grastons (Gua Sha) technique, and it’s yet another example of white supremacy.

This is not a matter of whether or not PTs and Chiropractors know their anatomy. 

It’s a matter of how they are stealing a 4,000 year old medicine after a 27 hour weekend course, and in doing so failing to understand TCM, or give recognition and respect to the cultures from which it came. Instead, they reclaim, rename, and misuse a revered ancient medicine, while all at the same time perpetuating the idea that Chinese Medicine is a “woo pseudoscience,” continuing to question it’s efficacy.