Dry needling: Just the term sparks heated controversy in the acupuncture world. Physical therapists and other healthcare providers are claiming it as part of their scope, leaving acupuncturists feeling frustrated and even offended. Worse yet, when dry needling fails to provide long-term results, people walk away thinking acupuncture doesn’t work either. It’s a problem.
But what if we flipped the script?
What if, as an AcuGraph user, you could confidently position yourself as the best dry needler in town BECAUSE you’re an acupuncturist?
Here’s the secret:
AcuGraph gives you an edge that no other practitioner—not even the most well-trained dry needler—can match, because AcuGraph allows you to see the whole picture!
Let me show you how I use the concept of dry needling to my advantage—and how you can, too.
Do We Do Dry Needling? Absolutely.
Wait, what?
Hear me out. When someone calls my clinic asking, “Do you do dry needling?” my answer is always “Yes.”
Why? Because at its core, dry needling is simply finding an ashi (or trigger) point—usually a motor point in the muscle—and using a needle to release the tension. Acupuncturists have been doing this for centuries.
But here’s the problem: dry needling alone isn’t enough.
If you release a single point of stagnation without addressing the flow of energy throughout the acupuncture pathways, the pain will come right back. It’s like putting a Band-Aid on a deeper issue.
Let me explain with a story—a simple analogy that I use to help my patients (and now you!) understand why AcuGraph gives you the upper hand.
The Bully in the Neighborhood
Imagine you live in a gated community. Everything’s supposed to run smoothly, but a bully has taken control of one of the cul-de-sacs. He’s been there a long time—he basically owns the road.
One day, you decide enough is enough. You march into the cul-de-sac and poke the bully right in the eye. Ouch! He runs off. Victory!
Or is it?
Here’s the thing: the bully doesn’t leave for good. He hides out in another part of the neighborhood, waiting for you to leave so he can sneak back into his favorite spot.
That’s dry needling.
It pokes the bully (or stagnation) in an attempt to move it, but without a clear path for where the energy should flow, the bully eventually returns to reclaim his territory.
How AcuGraph Changes the Game
Now imagine you’re a smart acupuncturist with AcuGraph at your side.
Before you even approach the bully, you pull out your map—the AcuGraph report—and analyze the neighborhood. You see that several streets are blocked, causing the bully to stay stuck in the cul-de-sac.
Instead of just poking the bully, you focus on opening the pathways. You clear the traffic jams, ensuring there’s a smooth flow throughout the entire neighborhood.
Then, when you approach the bully with dry needling, he has no place to hide. You nudge him out of the cul-de-sac, and he moseys along—right out of town.
By the time he’s made his way through the neighborhood’s fully functioning energy cycle, he’s reformed his ways and is no longer hostile. Problem solved.
Dry Needling vs. Meridian Therapy
In the outside world, dry needling is just poking a painful spot, hoping to resolve stagnation.
But as an AcuGraph user, dry needling becomes so much more. It’s not about the point—it’s about the pathway. You’re not just releasing a muscle; you’re transforming the energy flow throughout the entire system.
- The Bully: Stagnant or angry Qi
- The Neighborhood: A full network of acupuncture pathways
- Dry Needling: A nudge to move the bully out
- AcuGraph: Your map, showing exactly where the traffic problems are
When you combine dry needling with the power of AcuGraph, you’re not just treating a symptom—you’re solving the deeper issue.
The Takeaway
If you’re an AcuGraph user, you’re already ahead of the game. You’re not JUST a dry needler—you’re a master at identifying and resolving the deeper imbalances that cause pain.
So the next time someone asks, “Do you do dry needling?” you can confidently say yes—and know that you’re offering a level of care no one else can match.
Because with AcuGraph, you’re not just pushing the bully out of the cul-de-sac. You’re clearing the whole neighborhood and transforming the flow of energy so that healing can finally happen.
Now that you’ve seeing how AcuGraph can transform even a controversial topic such as dry needling into an opportunity, let’s take a step further..
Stay tuned for the next post, where we’ll dive into a little diagnostic gem that I’ve discovered regarding low back pain: Discover the Pain BEFORE the Pain: Uncovering the Secrets Behind Lower Back Pain—a powerful conversation that will set you apart as the go-to practitioner in your community.
Can’t wait for next Tuesday’s post? Click HERE to learn more about AcuGraph!
Would you like to schedule a no pressure sales consultation to see if AcuGraph might be the right fit for your clinic? Click HERE to schedule your sales consultation!
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