《吳醫師保健養生堂第八十二講》 — 針灸和乾針的關係吳宇琛

針灸和乾針的關係

吳宇琛

SUM WU

Sum Wu

Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine (UTS)

Bachelor of Science Majoring in Psychology (UOW)

Director of Hurstville Chinese Herbs Centre

Vice Dean of College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Orthopedics Australia

Specialising in pain management and mental wellbeing through Tradition Chinese medicine in combination with modern science in mental health, dieting and nutrition.

吳宇琛，澳大利亞政府注册中醫師、針灸師，五龍崗大學心理學學士、悉尼科技大學中醫系學士，澳大利亞松軒中醫藥中心主任醫師，澳大利亞中醫骨傷專科學院副院長。

擅長用傳統針灸理傷手法和中藥治療各種新舊損傷痛症，特別採用中醫中藥和現代心理學、營養學相結合調理治療各種慢性病和亞健康。

The relationship between Acupuncture and Dry Needling

針灸和乾針的關係

The historical development of trigger points is intricately linked to the evolution of acupuncture and various manual therapeutic modalities. Although the existence of trigger points has been acknowledged for centuries, it was not until the mid-twentieth century that a more comprehensive and scientifically grounded understanding of myofascial pain syndrome and trigger points emerged. In contemporary clinical practice, a range of manual therapies—including acupuncture, trigger point injections, dry needling, and myofascial release—are employed in the management of myofascial pain and other musculoskeletal disorders. These interventions are frequently utilized in conjunction with other therapeutic approaches, such as physical therapy, structured exercise programs, and pharmacologic treatments, to provide patients with a holistic and efficacious strategy for addressing chronic pain and functional impairment.

激痛點的歷史發展與針灸以及各種徒手治療技術的演變密切相關。儘管激痛點的存在已被認可數個世紀，但直到二十世紀中期，對於肌筋膜疼痛症候群與激痛點的理解才逐漸變得更為全面且具有科學根據。在當代臨床實踐中，多種徒手治療方法——包括針灸、激痛點注射、乾針療法與肌筋膜放鬆技術——被廣泛應用於治療肌筋膜疼痛與其他肌肉骨骼系統疾病。這些治療方式常與其他療法結合使用，例如物理治療、規劃性的運動訓練以及藥物治療，以提供病患一個整體且有效的慢性疼痛與功能障礙處理策略。

The primary distinction between traditional acupuncture and modalities such as the use of Ashi points or dry needling lies in the theoretical framework underpinning diagnosis and treatment—namely, the Qi and meridian system central to traditional Chinese medicine. However, when comparing Ashi points specifically to trigger points, the difference largely centers on the practitioner’s training and clinical specialization rather than a fundamentally different understanding of the physical manifestations of pain.

傳統針灸與像是阿是穴或乾針療法等治療方式的主要區別在於診斷與治療的理論框架—即以氣與經絡系統為核心的傳統中醫理論。然而，當具體比較阿是穴與激痛點時，區別主要體現在從業者的專業訓練與臨床專長，而非對疼痛的物理表現有根本的不同理解。

To become an acupuncturist, one must acquire the proper qualifications in the proper degree of study before they can register as an Acupuncturist. TCM practitioner will have many years of experience and proficiency with the channel system and acupuncture techniques whereas most health care professionals can incorporate dry needling and trigger point treatments as a service. Generally a dry needling course takes between 20-80 hrs. Physiotherapist for example can complete a 21.5hr course in dry needling.

要成為一名針灸師，必須獲得適當的資格並完成相應的學位學習，才能註冊成為一名針灸師。中醫師通常具有多年的經驗，並對經絡系統和針灸技術有著深入的掌握，而大多數醫療專業人員則能將乾針療法和激痛點治療作為一項服務。通常，乾針療法的課程時長為20至80小時。例如，物理治療師可以完成一個21.5小時的乾針療法課程。

Although dry needling is a contemporary therapeutic technique, it shares certain connections with the ancient principles of traditional acupuncture. Notably, many practitioners of dry needling utilize acupuncture needles, which are exceptionally thin and engineered to minimize discomfort and tissue trauma during insertion. Nevertheless, the application of acupuncture needles in dry needling remains a subject of controversy. Critics, particularly within the acupuncture community, contend that this practice constitutes a form of medical appropriation, as it often overlooks or disregards the holistic philosophical framework that underpins traditional Chinese medicine.

儘管乾針療法是一種現代治療技術，但它與傳統針灸的古老原則仍有某些聯繫。值得注意的是，許多乾針療法的從業人員使用針灸針，這些針極為細小，旨在減少插入過程中的不適和組織創傷。然而，在乾針療法中使用針灸針仍然是一個爭議的話題。批評者，特別是來自針灸界的人士，認為這種做法構成了醫療上的文化挪用，因為它常常忽視或忽略了支撐傳統中醫的整體哲學框架。

Despite ongoing debates surrounding its origins and philosophical underpinnings, dry needling has gained widespread acceptance as a therapeutic modality for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome and various other musculoskeletal conditions. Its growing popularity can be attributed, in part, to its minimally invasive nature and its precision in targeting specific myofascial trigger points that may be challenging to access through other manual therapy techniques.

儘管關於乾針療法的起源和哲學基礎仍存在持續的爭論，這種治療方式已廣泛被接受，用於治療肌筋膜疼痛症候群及其他各種肌肉骨骼系統疾病。其日益流行，部分原因可歸因於其微創特性，以及其在精確定位特定肌筋膜觸發點方面的優勢，這些觸發點可能是其他手動治療技術難以達到的。

Although Ashi points and myofascial trigger points share numerous similarities in their physical presentation and therapeutic relevance, there remains considerable tension between the respective practices of acupuncture and dry needling. Instances of clinical error associated with dry needling are at times misattributed to acupuncture, further blurring the distinction and fueling professional disagreements. Moreover, differing philosophies and approaches to pain management have led to ongoing debate among practitioners, with some expressing strong divergence in opinion regarding the appropriate treatment of musculoskeletal pain.

儘管阿是穴和肌筋膜觸發點在其物理表現和治療相關性上有許多相似之處，但針灸和乾針療法的實踐之間仍存在相當大的緊張關係。與乾針療法相關的臨床錯誤有時被誤歸咎於針灸，這進一步模糊了兩者之間的區別，並加劇了專業間的分歧。此外，對疼痛管理的不同哲學觀點和治療方法，導致了從業者之間的持續辯論，部分人對如何正確治療肌肉骨骼疼痛持有強烈分歧的意見。

As the practice of dry needling continues to evolve within contemporary clinical settings, it is essential for practitioners to remain cognizant of its historical and cultural connections to traditional acupuncture. Recognizing this relationship not only fosters a deeper appreciation for the foundational principles that inform needling techniques but also encourages a more respectful and informed integration of these methods into modern therapeutic practice. Such awareness can ultimately enhance the quality of care provided to individuals suffering from chronic pain and functional impairments. For those experiencing persistent pain, it is crucial to consult with a qualified healthcare professional to develop a personalized and evidence-based treatment plan tailored to their unique clinical needs.

隨著乾針療法在現代臨床環境中的不斷發展，從業人員必須保持對其與傳統針灸之間歷史與文化聯繫的認識。認識到這種關係，不僅有助於更深刻地理解支持針刺技術的基礎原則，還能促進這些方法在現代治療實踐中的更尊重和知識性整合。這種認識最終能提升對遭受慢性疼痛和功能障礙患者的照護品質。對於那些經歷持續疼痛的人而言，與合格的醫療專業人員諮詢，並制定個人化且有實證支持的治療計劃，對於滿足其獨特臨床需求至關重要。