Development of Acupuncture by Physiotherapists in Hong Kong

Questions and answers

Q: Do physiotherapists perform acupuncture? Is it within the scope of physiotherapy?

A: Yes, acupuncture, by virtue of its physical property is a form of physiotherapy and therefore physiotherapist may use it as a modality when treating client's problems.

Q: Is acupuncture a modality in Chinese Medicine?

A: Acupuncture was indeed originated from Chinese Medicine and it is an important and integral part of Chinese Medicine. While respecting acupuncture's unique origin in Chinese Medicine, physiotherapists do consider acupuncture as a modern approach as well through researches with modern scientific principles.

Q: Are you using Chinese Medicine methods to treat me?

A: No. Although acupuncture has a Chinese Medicine origin, physiotherapists apply acupuncture with modern scientific principles in mind, e.g. pain modulation, neuropathic , anatomic and electrophysiological considerations. However, with its unique origin from Chinese Medicine, physiotherapist do respect the Chinese medical principles and apply acupuncture in an East meet West approach.

Q: Is acupuncture controlled in Hong Kong ? Can a physiotherapist legally apply acupuncture?

A: Yes, acupuncture is controlled under the Chinese Medicine Ordinance. After the Ordinance is enforced, only registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner can apply acupuncture, with the following professionals being exempted: Registered Physiotherapists, Registered Medical Practitioners and Registered Dentists.

Q: Do you need any special qualifications to perform acupuncture?

A: No, according to the Chinese Medicine Ordinance governing the performance of acupuncture and the Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance governing the registration of Physiotherapists, a Registered Physiotherapist can legally perform acupuncture. However, physiotherapists are bound by their code of practice and will only perform any procedure within his/her competency.

Q: Where did you learn acupuncture?

A: There are post-graduate programs for physiotherapists to specialize in acupuncture. There is also an elective module in acupuncture for undergraduates in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University .

Q: Is acupuncture safe? Would the needles be used again?

A: With the profound knowledge in anatomy, acupuncture by a physiotherapist is very safe. Control of infection and contamination is a very important part in acupuncture by a physiotherapist. Needles are all disposable and will be used only once and be discarded after use.

Q: Is acupuncture painful?

A: Well, there ought to be a bit of pain especially during needle insertion. However, the pain will not be very intense. Rather there would be some swollen or tingling sensation when we manipulate the needles (or apply electricity, in case of electroacupuncture ).

Other questions concerning the effectiveness and mechanism of acupuncture may frequently be asked by the client.

The principle of addressing these questions is simple: "TELL THEM THE TRUTH" Only with effective and frank communication, can clients knows the benefit and appropriateness of physiotherapists using acupuncture as a modality in the overall management of their problems.

Acupuncture apparatus

Meridians

Ear Acupuncture