Often I am asked what the difference is between the traditional Acupuncture that I practice and 'dry needling' as practiced by other medical practitioners such as physiotherapists.

I am a registered member of the British Acupuncture Council. BAcC members practise a traditional, holistic style of acupuncture diagnosis and treatment based on a system developed and refined over 2,000 years. This style of acupuncture differs from that used by medical practitioners such as physiotherapists where the technique of 'dry needling' is adopted.

Although both practises use needles, dry needling aims for 'trigger points' whereas traditional acupuncture is based on the meridian system. Medical acupuncturists usually have significantly fewer training hours in the technique of acupuncture and use it as part of their practice alongside conventional treatments.

To achieve BAcC membership, practitioners must first undertake extensive training in acupuncture (minimum three years full-time at BSc or BA degree level) which includes physiology, anatomy and other biomedical sciences appropriate to the practice of acupuncture and their expert practice skills are maintained by following a mandatory individual programme of continuing professional development (CPD). BAcC membership is also a mark of assurance of high standards in professionalism, training and safety.

The British Acupuncture Council is also accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under its Accredited Voluntary Registers (AVR) scheme. Being accredited under the AVR scheme offers enhanced protection to anyone looking for an acupuncturist.

(information from the British Acupuncture Council press release for AAW 2016)