Traditional vs dry-needling (western acupuncture)
Traditional Acupuncturists' training courses are a three or four year full-time degree (in NZ, Australia or the UK). In China training is for 5 years as a medical doctor, specialising in acupuncture. Some other Health professionals (physiotherapists, doctors, midwives and some osteopaths) have only trained in very short courses (sometimes even one, possibly two weekends!) and can still use the word ‘acupuncture’. They often use the words ‘Western acupuncture’ (in the UK ‘medical acupuncture’) or ‘dry-needling’ — as opposed to ‘wet-needling’, as this technique can be just as effective as hydrocortisone (steroid) injection into a painful area.

Traditional Acupuncture is much more thorough than simply treating only the ‘trigger points’ (the places where the pain is) and generally, with a good practitioner, the results are often better. Traditional Acupuncture addresses the whole person's health energetically and consitionally, in mind, body and spirit, and does not simply treat one isolated area alone.  Acupuncture points away from the site of pain are frequently used also.  

Further reading: Traditional Acupuncture

 

 

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