Two Needles, Two Worlds: Why Understanding the Difference Between Dry Needling and Acupuncture Could Transform Your Pain Relief Journey
When you’re dealing with chronic pain, muscle tension, or mobility issues, the world of needle-based therapies can seem confusing. Both dry needling and acupuncture involve inserting thin needles into your skin, but these two treatments come from entirely different worlds of medicine and serve distinct purposes. Understanding these differences is crucial for choosing the right treatment for your specific health needs.
The Fundamental Philosophical Divide
Acupuncture is an ancient practice based in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), while dry needling is a modern practice based in Western medicine. This fundamental difference shapes everything about how these treatments work and what they aim to achieve.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method that may relieve pain and other symptoms of some health conditions. It’s thought to balance the flow of qi (energy) throughout your body, causing your brain to release feel-good chemicals called endorphins and stimulating your natural ability to heal. TCM explains that health is the result of a harmonious balance of the complementary extremes of yin and yang of the life force known as Qi, pronounced “chi.” According to TCM, Qi flows through meridians, or pathways, in the human body. These meridians and energy flows are accessible through 361 acupuncture points in the body. Inserting needles into these points with appropriate combinations will bring the energy flow back into balance.
In contrast, dry needling is a form of Western Medicine primarily used to treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction by penetrating trigger points in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. “Dry needling approaches pain relief from a myofascial standpoint, directly addressing the muscles and connective tissue,” whereas acupuncture is more focused on realigning energy and stimulating your body’s natural ability to heal.”
Treatment Approaches and Techniques
The techniques used in each therapy reflect their different philosophies. In acupuncture, practitioners insert needles into specific points along the body’s meridians. The selection of these points is based on the patient’s symptoms and underlying Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis. Perhaps the most noticeable difference from a patient’s perspective is the time the needles stay inserted. Acupuncture tends to keep needles in place longer, while dry needling has a shorter duration.
Dry needling practitioners focus on locating and needling myofascial trigger points. These are areas of muscle tightness that can cause pain and discomfort. Physical therapists and other medical professionals who practice dry needling insert sterile filiform needles directly into the trigger points, often eliciting a local twitch response (a brief contract of the muscle being treated).
Training and Regulation Differences
One of the most significant differences between these treatments lies in the training requirements for practitioners. Licensed acupuncturists complete a masters degree, thousands of clinical supervised hours, and must pass a national board certification before practicing acupuncture. Additionally, our acupuncturists are nationally board certified in both acupuncture and Chinese Herbology.
The training requirements for dry needling are considerably less extensive. In contrast, physical therapists may do as little as a weekend course in dry needling, or 27 to 72 hours of needle training before administering the techniques to people. The American Medical Association (AMA) considers dry needling an invasive procedure and states that only licensed medical physicians or acupuncturists should perform it.
What Conditions Do They Treat?
While both treatments can address pain, their scope differs significantly. Dry needling focuses on relieving soreness and discomfort by treating myofascial pain but does not do much beyond this. Although it is very effective at treating certain musculoskeletal conditions and can increase blood flow, it does not address mental health concerns or other physical ailments besides musculoskeletal issues.
Acupuncture has a much broader therapeutic scope. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture as an effective treatment for more than 43 conditions under nine major health categories, including, but not limited to: Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Allergies and respiratory problems like asthma · Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia · Tennis elbow, sprains, and injury related pain · Hypertension and hypotension · Knee, low back, and neck pain, as well as sciatica
Which Treatment Should You Choose?
The choice between dry needling and acupuncture depends on your specific health concerns and treatment goals. In general, if your symptoms are musculoskeletal (an injury to the bones, muscles, nerves or joints) in nature, consider dry needling. For instance, if you’re looking for relief from muscle pain and tightness, then dry needling may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you’re hoping for relief from a mental or physical condition like anxiety, nausea or allergies, then acupuncture may be the right answer.
It’s worth noting that you can also do both. A physical therapist and acupuncturist can work together to tackle a musculoskeletal component and an underlying system component.
The Think Acupuncture Approach
When considering acupuncture treatment, it’s essential to choose a practice that combines expertise with comprehensive care. Think acupuncture exemplifies this approach with their commitment to holistic healing. We’re committed to helping you achieve your best health. With convenient locations in Huntington and Ronkonkoma, we’re dedicated to offering safe, drug-free solutions to address a variety of health concerns.
Traditional Chinese and Japanese acupuncture recognizes that many times aches, pains and other discomforts are only symptoms of a deeper underlying health problem. Therefore, a comprehensive diagnosis is complied, which takes into account the individual’s body, mind, and spirit. The theory behind this healing approach is known as “Root-Branch Philosophy”. The “branch” is the symptom that the patient is experiencing and the “root” is the cause of the manifestation of that symptom.
Making an Informed Decision
Both dry needling and acupuncture offer valuable therapeutic benefits, but they serve different purposes and come with different levels of practitioner training and regulation. While their shared aim is often pain relief, acupuncture currently has more support in research. Acupuncture carries little risk of side effects, and practitioners must carry a license to perform acupuncture procedures.
Before choosing either treatment, a person should seek advice from a primary care physician. Consider your specific health concerns, treatment goals, and the level of practitioner expertise you prefer. Whether you’re dealing with acute muscle pain that might benefit from dry needling’s targeted approach, or seeking comprehensive wellness support that acupuncture’s holistic philosophy provides, understanding these differences empowers you to make the best choice for your health journey.
Remember, the goal is not just temporary relief, but finding a sustainable path to better health and wellbeing that aligns with your individual needs and preferences.