Welcome to the International Acupuncture and Dry Needling Association of Physiotherapists (IADAPT).

IADAPT – a specialty group of World Physiotherapy

About us

The subgroup consists of academics and clinicians from member organisations (associations in each country). It promotes the dissemination of ideas by means of a journal produced three times a year and ongoing social media posts.

IADAPT encourages a broad approach to the practice of acupuncture and dry needling, being aware that members need to conform to the rules and regulations that govern registration in their own countries/territories.

Standards of practice for basic safety have been established and accepted by member organisations. IADAPT has worked towards an accepted level of international basic and advanced training.

Following the unanimous resolution passed at the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 11 September 2025 (UTC), the Association’s name has changed to the International Acupuncture and Dry Needling Association of Physiotherapists (IADAPT) from the previous name of the International Acupuncture Association of Physiotherapists (IAAPT).

This change reflects our commitment to reaffirming that dry needling is an integral part of needling within physiotherapy. It also aims to foster inclusivity, encouraging greater participation from member organizations where physiotherapists practice dry needling exclusively, thereby supporting the global advancement of needling practices in physiotherapy.

Current members

History

This organization was founded in 1991 and became the acupuncture and dry needling subgroup of World Physiotherapy in 1999. It was formed by a core group of physiotherapists from parts of the world where physiotherapists had been practicing acupuncture since the early 1980s – Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Sweden and the UK.

Since becoming a subgroup in 1999, membership has grown and currently includes member organizations in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Why join?

By becoming a member of IADAPT you will be able to:

receive the latest acupuncture and dry needling information through our quarterly Meridian Newsletter
benefit from international networking
influence developments in your profession
get links to information sources
contribute to the direction of needling-related training in physiotherapy and receive training information
have access to the most up to date safe acupuncture and dry needling guidelines for physiotherapy practice (updated biennially)
engage in ongoing debates over acupuncture mechanisms
help establish a foundation for good research, relevant to acupuncture as it is used by physiotherapists

Membership

IADAPT has five categories of membership:

Full Membership

An acupuncture and dry needling clinical interest group recognised by their own physiotherapy association. The association needs to be a full member of World Physiotherapy.

Member Elect

An acupuncture and dry needling clinical interest group who are applying for recognition by their physiotherapy association, or where the physiotherapy association is not yet a member of World Physiotherapy.

Associate

Individual physiotherapists with an interest in acupuncture and dry needling who are members of a World Physiotherapy member organisation, but do not have an acupuncture and/or dry needling special interest group.

RIG

Registered Interest Group (RIG) is ideal for a group where there is not an acupuncture or dry needling speciality group recognised by the country member of World Physiotherapy to be affiliated with IADAPT and develop further.

Honorary

Awarded to individuals who have supported the work of IADAPT and have given outstanding service to the development of acupuncture and dry needling in physiotherapy.

Only full members have the right to vote on constitutional resolutions.

If you require a membership application form please contact our secretary at secretary@iaapt.wcpt.org