We have recently fielded several queries from people who have some informal needling experience who would like to know if they can go straight to level 2.

In short-The needle insertion technique your mate showed you in the clinic after work one time that he finds is great for piriformis releases is unlikely to be considered by insurers, registration boards or the APA to constitute minimum training for safe  dry needling practice.

Until recently there has been no   standardisation  of dry needling training for physiotherapists  wishing to practice in Australia . For this reason the “soon to be released”  APA Guidelines for Safe Acupuncture practice document  has been created. The Guidelines recommend  a minimum of 2 days training for safe practice. Basic level training typically covers the following areas in addition to basic needling skills :

• Contraindications and precautions
• Management of needle accidents and adverse reactions
• Hygiene requirements
• Safe needling of vulnerable regions of the thorax
This is the minimum training for safe practice not expert practice and advanced level courses  are aimed at achieving some level of expertise.

If your previous  training has not covered the above areas over a 1-2 day period you would be best to start with Level 1.

Level 2 does not address these areas at all and assumes that this training has been previously done.

Please spread this amongst any co-workers you know may be interested or who are practising needling with less than a minimum standard of training.