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Writer's pictureSilvia Russo

What is dry needling? What is acupuncture/Chinese medicine


Chinese Medicine is a coherent, unique and holistic way of looking at health and disease. Chinese medicine is a medicine that developed over thousands of years in China, providing a unique form of healthcare and medical intervention. Chinese Medicine is grounded in the Chinese medical classical texts and taught and practised within the same holistic philosophical paradigm that produced traditional arts and sciences. Chinese Medicine provides an energetic systems-based description of the person, known as "qi"or 'chi", where the physical, emotional, sociological, psychological and spiritual aspects are seen as interrelated, interdependent, interconnected and inseparable.  The concept of health in Chinese Medicine is based on energetic balance (yin/yang) resulting from harmony of all systems, all functions, and all relationships internal and external. The Chinese Medicine diagnostic system is based on this energetic understanding, where diagnoses are described in terms of "Patterns of Disharmony" as distinct from organic pathologies.  Patterns of Disharmony are energetic descriptions of the unique ways in which a person is losing their ability to maintain dynamic homeostasis (harmony between yin & yang). Chinese Medicine treatment focuses on the resolution of these "Patterns of Disharmony" by assisting the person to regain the ability to maintain dynamic homeostasis. Chinese Medicine - Scope of Practice Registered Chinese Medicine practitioners, using the holistic Chinese Medicine model of health and disease: Undertake a Chinese Medicine assessment using the 4 Examinations, determine a Chinese Medicine diagnosis using the 8 Principles of Differential Diagnosis, establish a treatment principle and depending on which category the practitioner is registered in, will generate a prescription of therapy utilising one or more of the following practices: acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, scraping, point injection therapy, other acupuncture technologies, prescribing and dispensing Chinese herbal medicines in various forms, various Chinese Medicine health enhancement, rehabilitation and health promotion practices including Chinese Medicine dietetics, Chinese Medicine counselling, Chinese Medicine massage, Chinese Medicine therapeutic breath-work, Chinese Medicine exercise therapy, various meditative practices and various dietary supplements. The aim of the Chinese Medicine approach is to restore, maintain and promote health and wellbeing.   Please note you might see an advert on acupuncture, and since the modality of "acupuncture" is not a restricted title/practice, however "acupuncturist"or "Chinese medicine practitioner" is, anyone can claim they practise acupuncture.  Doesn't mean they are fully trained to do so!


To make sure your practitioner does practise acupuncture, please check that your health practitioner is a either a Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner or Registered Acupuncturist, they have done a degree in Chinese Medicine which is 4-5 years in duration, belong to a relevant association such as AACMA (the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese medicine Association) and ask..do they question you on your general wellness such as sleep, digestion, energy levels, abnormal sweating, fever/chills, headaches, etc and not just pain?  If not, chances are, you are having dry needling NOT acupuncture.  


Dry needling is the insertion of needles into muscle trigger points to release muscle.  It has no relation to Chinese Medicine theory at all.  Medical acupuncture is also different to Chinese Medicine acupuncture as well. Please contact AACMA if you would like more information on Chinese Medicine.  There is a link to the AACMA website on the homepage of this website.





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