Acupuncture & Dry Needling
Written by Jack Porter - Trainee Underwriter - Casualty
Acupuncture treats musculoskeletal pain and other body systems and has been part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the skin to restore balance and encourage the body to heal itself.
To become an Acupuncturist in Australia, you must:
Complete a regulated 4-year course learning how to use Acupuncture safely.
Be registered with AHPRA and the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA).
Engage in continued professional development.
Some examples of potential acupuncture-related malpractice include:
Improper needle insertion
Failure to properly sterilize equipment
Inadequate patient evaluation
Untrained or unlicensed practitioners
Failure to inform patients of risks
Over-treatment or misuse
Alternatively, dry needling treats pain and movement issues associated with myofascial trigger points to alleviate pain and increase motion for patients.
Dry needling is a new treatment in healthcare and is not a regulated profession, hence there is no form prerequisite to perform dry needling in Australia.
Safeguards to practise dry needling safely:
Ensure that fully informed consent is obtained and documented.
Only act within the scope of your practice.
Continue to refresh and update your education on dry needling.
Potential medical malpractice situations related to dry needling include:
Pain, Bleeding or Bruising
Improper Needle Insertion
Failure to Properly Assess the Patient
Failure to Warn About Risks and Alternatives
Excessive or Inappropriate Treatment
Incompetence or Lack of Proper Training
For both practices, other more serious risks include:
Punctured lungs (pneumothorax) – Lungs are very delicate and bleed easily which is a life-threatening scenario requiring hospitalisation
Local or systemic infections
Death
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