“Dry Needling” is acupuncture. Acupuncture is the insertion of thin solid needles into anatomical locations to treat disease, injury, pain, or dysfunction, and to promote health and wellness. “Dry Needling” is a recently coined name for an acupuncture technique that involves the insertion of acupuncture needles directly into muscles and “trigger points” for the relief of musculoskeletal pain.
Licensed acupuncturists have practiced and documented this acupuncture technique, now referred to as “dry needling”, for decades in the US.
Some physical therapists and other healthcare providers have claimed the “dry needling” is “new” and “not acupuncture”, because the point locations and needling style are based on anatomical structures and physiological function rather than on traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture theory. In fact, licensed acupuncturists receive training in the application of both traditional foundations for acupuncture and modern biomedical theories and have done so since long before the term “dry needling” was invented.
“Dry needling” is an advanced and invasive procedure. In the hands of a practitioner who has received limited and/or substandard training, it has the potential to cause great harm. It can be considered safe only when preformed by properly trained and experienced acupuncturists.
NCCAOM National Board-Certified Acupuncturists™ receive hundreds of hours in the core skills required to correctly preform invasive and potentially dangerous needling techniques, assuring their competencies to insert and manipulate acupuncture needles safely.
Is there a required accredited academic program for the training of physical therapists to practice dry needling acupuncture?
There is no national standard entry-level academic curriculum that offers training or education in any form of needling for physical therapists. The only training in dry needling acupuncture for physical therapists are abbreviated continuing education workshops. There are no minimum hours or curriculum standards for these workshops.
Is there a valid and reliable examination to test competency of physical therapists in the practice of dry needling acupuncture?
No. There are no national psycho-metrically validated examinations to test competency of physical therapists in the practice of dry needling acupuncture.
What academic and clinical practice training are required for licensed acupuncturists to practice dry needling acupuncture?
Licensed acupuncturists receive years of academic education and training in many acupuncture techniques, including what is now termed “dry needling”. Nearly all states require licensed acupuncturists to meet NCCAOM standards of eligibility and pass national board certification exams.
What are the specific requirements for NCCAOM Nationally Board-Certified Acupuncturists™?
To become an NCCAOM Nationally Board-Certified Acupuncturist™, applicants must, at a minimum:
- Complete a minimum of three years or 1,905 hours of postgraduate education, including a minimum of 660 hours of supervised clinical training
- Graduate with a Master’s degree or Professional Doctorate degree in Acupuncture or Oriental Medicine that is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM). ACAOM is the only accreditation agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education.
- Successfully pass three psychometrically violated NCCAOM National Board Examinations:
- Foundations or Oriental Medicine
- Acupuncture with Point Location
- Biomedicine
- Document completion of an NCCAOM approved course and assessment in Clean Needle Technique.
- Sign and be held accountable to the NCCAOM® Code of Ethics and Grounds for Professional Discipline. Failure to comply is subject to disciplinary action.
NCCAOM National Board Certification and/or a passing score on the NCCAOM certification examinations are required for acupuncturist licensure in 46 states plus the District of Columbia.
What is the NCCAOM?
The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) is the only nationally accredited certification organization that assures entry-level competency of acupuncturists. The NCCAOM’s certification programs in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine are accredited by a third-party accrediting body, National Commission for Certification Agencies (NCCA).
The NCCAOM’s mission is to assure the safety and well-being of the public and to advance the professional practice of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine by establishing and promoting national evidence-based standards of competence and credentialing.
NCCAOM’s top priority is to protect the public from the unsafe practice of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine by individuals who do not have appropriate training and meet competency standards.
