In this Shoptalk episode, I want to share some critical guidance on safely needling GB21 and the upper trapezius region. This advice comes from my experience serving as an expert witness in half a dozen cases where well-intentioned, fully trained acupuncturists caused pneumothorax injuries—including one that was fatal.
What does an expert witness do? Essentially, it’s a neutral professional who reviews the clinical records and offers an opinion on whether the practitioner’s care met the standards of the profession—and, if not, whether those lapses contributed to injury, pain, or suffering. Working through these cases has made me reevaluate several commonly taught and widely practiced techniques that are, frankly, unsafe.
In my own clinic, that reevaluation led to changes: different needle angles, lengths, and depths; more rigorous screening for risk factors; and alternative approaches that are far better at preventing pneumothorax while being just as clinically effective—often more so.
Unfortunately, it’s not just dry needlers who cause pneumothoraxes, but they are avoidable. Tune in to learn more!
I am an experienced clinician and instructor in acupuncture orthopedics and sports medicine. I enjoy providing long-term support for acupuncturists to achieve their professional goals. I earned my MTCM from the Five Branches University in 2002, my Diplomate from the National Board of Acupuncture Orthopedics in 2006, and my Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in 2020.
I have served as a clinical supervisor for 18 years and taught acupuncture orthopedics at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences, the American College of TCM, the Five Branches University, and the Virginia University of Integrative Medicine. I have been a featured instructor at the Sports Acupuncture Alliance, the PSOAS Symposium, and Associations of California, Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina.
I also have extensive experience as an expert witness in malpractice cases, and emphasize the highest standards of safety and ethics. Anthony’s online courses pertinent to this topic: Treating the Head, Neck and Thorax Professional Ethics and Risk Management.
Here are links to Anthony’s course on Joint Stabilization and Mobilization Needling and his full list of On Demand Courses with CEU’s.
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