Acupuncture and Dry Needling Group (ADNG)

The Acupuncture and Dry Needling Physiotherapy Group was approved by the National Advisory Council and National APA Board at the end of 2007 to become a national group. Prior to this the Acupuncture Study Group (ASG) was a branch special group of the NSW APA branch. The ASG had been in existence since 1979 and has successfully trained over a thousand physiotherapists via the APA Level 1 and Level 2 Traditional Acupuncture courses. The group has grown to evolve into the national Acupuncture and Dry Needling Physiotherapists group which now represents physiotherapists who use a variety of needling skills including dry needling, western acupuncture and traditional acupuncture.

Dry Needling, Western Acupuncture and Traditional Acupuncture Defined:

Dry Needling involves needling to altered or dysfunctional tissues in order to improve or restore function. This may include needling of myofascial trigger points, periosteum and other soft tissues.

Western Acupuncture utilises meridian points but applies it to 'western' reasoning with particular consideration to relevant neurophysiology and anatomy. It does not utilise any traditional Chinese medicine assessment methods or paradigms. Points are stimulated to create local, spinal segmental or supraspinal pain modulating effects.

Traditional Acupuncture examines changes in the tissues through the prism of the meridians as well as the status of the qi, blood and fluids [fundamental substances]. Acupuncture is then applied to the meridians either utilising specific acupuncture points or non specific areas where tissue changes are evident such as trigger points. The clinical reasoning process includes information derived from theoretical constructs found in Oriental Medicine.

Physiotherapists may choose to practice using any one of the forms of acupuncture needling or may possess the skills to utilise the various forms in combination. Utilisation of any of the above needling techniques by physiotherapists is employed within the scope of physiotherapy and as part of an overall management approach. The suggested minimum training is two days for an Introduction to Dry Needling or Western Acupuncture. The Level 1 APA course or equivalent is the suggested minimum training for Traditional Acupuncture (which equates to 150 hours of learning). Following the minimum training requirements physiotherapists are advised to complete 30 hours of continuing professional development (such as attending meetings, reading journals or attending workshops) on physiotherapy acupuncture over a three year period to remain competent in this field of practice.

Benefits of membership to the Acupuncture & Dry Needling Group include:

• Access to the DVD, Book and Journal library
• Receive the member eNewsletters and eNewsflashes
• The opportunity to liaise and practise with other physiotherapists furthering their skills in Acupuncture and Dry Needling
• Stay up to date with new acupuncture related research and safety guidelines
• Group membership to the International Association of Acupuncture Physiotherapists (IAAPT)
• First preference access to courses and seminars run by the ADNG
• APA MCPD (mandatory continuing professional development) points for completing a book/DVD/video review
• APA MCPD points for producing a case presentation either via direct submission or via case presentation days organised around the various sates and territories
• APA MCPD points for journal assessed articles (using Pedro scaling)
• Representation within the APA structure as a physiotherapist practising dry needling, western acupuncture or traditional acupuncture
• The opportunity to become involved in clinical research in the area of acupuncture and dry needling

2010 ADNG Committee:

Chairperson / Risk Management rep & QLD rep: Leigh McCutcheon
National Advisory Council representative: Libbie Nelson
NSW representative: Paula Raymond-Yacoub
VIC representative: Jane Rooney
WA representative: Doug Cary
SA representative: Kate Kennedy
TAS representative: Fiona Hamilton