Acupuncture Regulation

[CupCake =)]

Hi, thought I might add a bit here as I have had both types of acupuncture.

Agree with all said about the diagnosis etc etc and as I said on my other thread I thought Five Elements was wonderful. However I often have what you are calling 'dry needling' from Anahata and this is also extremely effective. I usually have it in my shoulder, hands or arms due to overuse doing massages etc. It is very effective. Sometimes it hurts a bit, but mostly it doesn't.

Sometimes I have a bit of spotting (in both treatments) but don't have any concern about it.

I think they are both worthwile and each have their own place. Bear in mind that physios and osteopaths, gps etc have had years of training and are used to working with people when they are taught 'dry needling' so it isn't like they are some Jo off the street with no training. Osteopaths do four years for instance so I think you can rest assured they are properly trained and qualified.

Some GPs are not great at this, one I heard of wished he was better but admitted he didn't get enough practice.

 

[Deaner]

Please do not rest assured that this is the case. An osteopath's 4 years of training are in osteopathy, not acupuncture. Similarly a GP may have 7 years of training, of which a weekend may be "acupuncture", if that.

I do not have any doubts about the effectiveness of dry-needling for what it is used for, and neither do I have any doubts that people are greatly helped by it (read my first post above!) but it is not acupuncture, it is dry-needling. What's wrong with calling a spade a spade! The only similarity between these two therapies is that thin sharp bits of steel are used. Lots of therapies share the same tools, but that doesn't make them the same therapy.

Sorry about the rant, but it's just so important for people who are not aware of the distinction to have good information IMHO.

Aragorn

 

[Robert B]

Aragorn

Acus - is Latin for needle & puncture, well that's self explanatory.

Not sure what the Latin for spade is, though. [sm=scratchchin.gif]

I always make a point (no pun intended) of clarifying the difference between western and traditional acupuncture systems. We have a TCM acupuncturist at all the practices that I work from, so even tell them that's another option if they prefer.

Re. Previous training of osteopaths, then I gather that Candie was referring to the medical sciences and in the context of safety. Osteopaths have a thorough training in anatomy, patho-physiology, biomechanics, interpretation of clinical tests and imaging, and relevant areas of psychology and sociology.

If you were to take one of these, then I would have to say that we are anatomists, first & foremost. We cover the anatomy course that doctors get during their entire degree in our first year. And then go into it in more depth for the other 3 years.

On the subject of the Thread heading - I agree that Western & Oriental acupuncture should be clearly distinguished between in any forthcoming self regulation, but I believe that could be done by the same governing body. Referring to Western acupuncture as dry needling may well aid the in this distinction to the general public, but equally introducing a new term to them may add to the confusion. It also seems unlikely that the western word acupuncture will gain legal protection for the sole use of oriental style acupuncture systems.

Andrew.

 

[rajkumar]

Hi Andrew

More than unlikely - almost a certainty! And a tremendous shame.

Not sure about the relevance of the etymology lesson - I don't think the Chinese kanji that we translate as "acupuncture" has much to do with latin. (spatha, by the way = spade)

But your point is relevant to the proposed regulation - the definition of acupuncture being used relates only to the insertion of solid needles and nothing to do with the medical system used. I can even see a persuasive case for including tattoo artists in the DoH definition!

No need to justify an osteopath's training either - I know how thorough it is, but I stand by my point that however thorough and whatever duration the training, it is not in acupuncture.

It's a simple misnomer - the public would get used to it if it were re-named...
But why do that. Do you name every technique you use to your patients? Does a physio? or a GP? Does a physio become a "heat-lampist" when they flick the switch? What is the fascination with naming dry-needling "acupuncture". Can't dry-needling just be integrated into the therapy it is complementing and regarded as just another technique? (These are sincere questions BTW!)

Does traditional acupuncture not deserve a unique identity in the public eye?

Aragorn

 

[J R]

"Dry needleing" is clearly different, but the use of needles in physiotheropy has got to be pointed out by some definition as it's too intrusive not to be. From what i can gather maybe traditional acupuncture should be called "traditional accupuncture" and dry needling should be called something like "totally unregulated slightly risky make sure you have a Hep-b vaccination acupuncture"?
Is this unfair?

 

[Tattooed]

Yes, it is unfair I'd say.
Dry-needling is for the most part applied by practitioners such as physios, osteopaths, nurses and GPs who do know what they are doing (in terms of hygenic needle insertion), and are regulated (in their own discipline). They may not be acupuncturists, but they are dry-needlers, and they can do that properly!
Anyone can set up an acupuncture clinic at present, uninsured and unqualified. It would be illegal for them to pretend to be a GP or an osteopath, but they could legally pretend to be a traditional acupuncturist.
Dry-needling does not equate to irresponsible, uneffective, unhygenic treatment. I'm sorry you seem to have this impression. Dry-needling is not acupuncuture though - it is an adjunctive technique that happens to resemble acupuncture.

My advice is to Always check out the credentials of a therapist! It's OK to ask about a person's training, not just generally, but specifically regarding what they are offering to do to you there and then. If your GP offers to stick acupuncture needles in you, Ask them about it - you may be surprised: Some have trained for 4 years as I have and are members of the British Acupuncture Council; others have done a weekend's course! Find out, and then make your own decision.

Aragorn