Dry Needling, the domain of acupuncture

NVA's Stance on Dry Needling and the Acupuncture Domain
Within mainstream healthcare, the needling technique Dry Needling has been increasingly utilized in recent years. This involves inserting acupuncture needles into myofascial trigger points. Dry Needling is a technique that traditionally falls within the domain of acupuncture.

What concerns the NVA is that Dry Needling seems to become the domain of physiotherapy, and for the following reasons, this is not a desirable development.

First of all:
An (NVA) acupuncturist has received a longer, more thorough education to be able to work safely with needles than a physiotherapist who performs Dry Needling.

The acupuncturist undergoes theoretical and practical training for 3 to 4 years. A solid theoretical and practical education is a requirement to work and treat expertly and safely with acupuncture needles.
The Dry Needling courses in the Netherlands vary widely in terms of training hours. The most comprehensive course consists of 112 contact hours followed by an exam, but there are also courses with only 20 contact hours.

Secondly:
The NVA sets high educational requirements for its members, while no educational standards have been established for the group of other Dry Needling practitioners.

The NVA is a professional association for acupuncture that sets high pre-education and continuing education requirements for its members and actively monitors them.
However, there are no standards set for the group of other Dry Needling practitioners to meet. The quality of a Dry Needling practitioner is unclear to a patient because they are unaware of the quality of education that the respective physiotherapist has received.

Thirdly:
It must be clear to the patient which therapy he is receiving. One may expect a physiotherapy treatment from a physiotherapist, which does not include acupuncture techniques. On the other hand, one may expect an acupuncture treatment, including the Dry Needling technique, when consulting an acupuncturist.

Conclusion
A physiotherapist who specializes in treating the musculoskeletal system with needles is not practicing within the domain of physiotherapy. According to the NVA, he is venturing into the field of acupuncture.
Regarding the billing of 'needle treatments,' it should be clear to the health insurer whether it is a physiotherapy or acupuncture treatment. It would be incorrect if Dry Needling, as a disguised form of physiotherapy, were to take on a life of its own.

The NVA will also use the above argumentation in communication with, for example, health insurers and government.