What Is the Difference Between Dry Needling and Acupuncture?

Have you ever been unsure of the difference between dry needling and acupuncture? Many people use, or have heard of, both treatments as a means to relieve pain and improve function. But what are the key differences between these two therapies?

Dry needling and acupuncture both involve inserting needles into targeted areas, but that is where their similarities end. In this article, we will examine the different methods used in dry needling versus acupuncture to better understand how each therapy works. We will also discuss who may benefit from either treatment, as well as potential risks associated with each option.

So if you’ve ever asked yourself “what is the difference between dry needling vs acupuncture?” then keep reading!

What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a modern form of acupuncture that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It involves the insertion of very thin needles into specific points on the body known as “trigger points”. The needles are inserted to help release muscle tension and spasms, improve circulation, reduce pain, and promote healing.

The process works by stimulating the nerves that run from spinal cord segments to muscles. This stimulation increases blood flow to the area and stimulates nerve cells, which can result in reduced pain or an increase in range of motion for those with movement restrictions due to injury or chronic conditions. Dry needling can also help release trigger points associated with muscle tightness or knots that create painful sensations throughout the body.

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient form of alternative medicine that has been used for centuries in Chinese culture and is now practiced throughout the world. It involves inserting very thin needles through the skin at specific points on your body to stimulate a physiological response, such as reducing pain or increasing blood flow.

The aim of acupuncture is to restore balance within the body by stimulating energy pathways known as meridians. By doing so, it can help with pain relief, alleviate stress, improve overall health and wellbeing, reduce inflammation and promote healing.

Acupuncture practitioners are usually highly trained professionals who use different techniques such as heat therapy (moxibustion) and electrical stimulation (electroacupuncture) alongside needling to achieve desired results.

Similarities Between Dry Needling & Acupuncture

Dry needling and acupuncture are both forms of treatment that use thin needles to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. Both treatments are primarily used to treat musculoskeletal issues, such as chronic pain, neck pain, headaches, and tension-related conditions.

Both dry needling and acupuncture rely on traditional Chinese medicine theory in order to diagnose and treat medical issues. In terms of technique, both therapies involve inserting very thin needles into specific points on the body in order to trigger physiological responses. The goal is for these interventions to improve an individual’s overall well-being by balancing their mind and body.

Additionally, both treatments can be combined with other kinds of therapy in order to target a variety of physical ailments or illnesses. For example, patients may combine dry needling or acupuncture with physical therapy or massage therapy for improved results.

Differences Between Dry Needling & Acupuncture

While dry needling and acupuncture have similar effects on the body, there are several key differences between them.

The main difference is that dry needling tends to focus on muscular disorders only, whereas acupuncture can treat various medical conditions, including pain management and emotional issues. Dry needling requires an understanding of biomechanics in order to accurately target specific muscles or trigger points with a needle. Acupuncture focuses on traditional Chinese medicine techniques such as Qi (energy) flow along meridians in order to affect change within the body.

Dry needling also uses thinner needles than those used in acupuncture and typically causes less discomfort during treatment. Furthermore, dry needling does not rely on heat or electricity for stimulation as does some forms of acupuncture therapy. The side effects of both therapies may include bruising at the site of insertion, but this is very rare when using dry needling needles since they are so thin.

Injuries & Conditions Treated

While both dry needling and acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of conditions, they are used differently depending on the desired outcome. Dry needling is typically used to relieve pain caused by tight, contracted muscles or trigger points. It can also be used to improve mobility and increase flexibility in the area being treated. Acupuncture is typically used for more systemic issues such as tension headaches, arthritis, nausea, digestive problems, allergies and anxiety. Both techniques may be effective for managing chronic pain from conditions like fibromyalgia or low back pain.

Technique

Both dry needling and acupuncture involve inserting needles into the skin, but the techniques used are quite different. Dry needling is a type of physiotherapy that relies on feedback from the patient to guide where the needle should be inserted in order to provide relief. The practitioner will insert a thin needle directly into an area of tension or inflammation, and then wait to see how the body responds. The insertion may also be accompanied by some light electrical stimulation.

Acupuncture, on the other hand, relies on traditional Chinese medicine and follows very specific pathways throughout the body called meridians. By stimulating these pathways with tiny stainless steel needles, practitioners believe that it can help restore balance and promote healing for various conditions such as headaches or musculoskeletal pain. There is also often an accompanying massage technique known as gua sha which involves rubbing an area with a smooth stone or other instrument to stimulate circulation in areas that are sore or inflamed.

Needles

The needles used in dry needling and acupuncture are very different. Dry needling uses thin, solid filiform needles that range from 0.12 mm to 1.2 mm thick, while acupuncture typically uses thicker needles of 0.22-0.35mm and hollow core threading needles at 0.16mm or less in thickness (these are called “acupuncture tubes”).

Dry needling is much more direct than acupuncture as it requires inserting the needle directly into a trigger point or muscle bundle to stimulate healing and provide pain relief, whereas Chinese medicine practitioners use their intuition to pinpoint areas of tension or imbalance within the body’s energy pathways (known as meridians) before insertion of a needle for treatment purposes.

The type of needle used for a given treatment is determined based on the desired outcome; thinner filiform needles will be used when targeting small isolated muscles or nerve points, while larger diameter tubular needles are usually employed when treating larger muscle groups with deeper penetration required due to their size and shape.

Pain Levels

Pain levels are an important consideration when choosing between dry needling and acupuncture. Generally speaking, dry needling is said to be more painful than acupuncture. This is because during dry needling a physician inserts needles into the skin and then manipulates them in order to target stiff muscles or trigger points, which can cause discomfort for the patient. Acupuncture, on the other hand, tends to involve inserting much finer needles that rarely penetrate deep enough into the skin or muscle tissues to cause significant pain. Although some moments of pressure may be experienced with acupuncture, it’s not as invasive as dry needling and most people experience only minimal discomfort during a session.

Side Effects

One of the biggest differences between dry needling and acupuncture is the potential for side effects. Dry needling is much more likely to cause adverse reactions than acupuncture, as it often involves puncturing deeper layers of muscle or tissue.

Common side effects of dry needling may include soreness or bruising at the treatment site, temporary aggravation of pain symptoms during or after treatment, and mild dizziness due to stimulation of certain nerves.

As for acupuncture, common side effects are generally minimal and can include redness at the needle insertion sites, mild bleeding from minor pokes with needles, and itchiness near insertion points. Rarely there could be a serious reaction such as an infection from using unclean needles.

Pros & Cons Of Dry Needling & Acupuncture

Dry needling and acupuncture both have their advantages and disadvantages. Dry needling is less costly than acupuncture, but not all insurance plans cover the procedure.

Dry needling can be beneficial for those wanting to quickly target certain trigger points during a treatment session; however, it can cause more short-term discomfort as the needles are usually inserted deeper into the tissue than with acupuncture. It may also take multiple treatments for best results.

Acupuncture typically costs more than dry needling and may require more frequent visits; however, it does not have to be as targeted in its approach as dry needling making it a good option for generalized pain relief or stress reduction. The insertion of the needles may also cause less discomfort due to shallower insertion depths compared to dry needling.

Who Should Use Dry Needling & Acupuncture?

Dry needling and acupuncture can be used for a variety of conditions, including muscle pain, chronic pain, and even psychological issues. However, it’s important to note that each person responds differently and should consult with their doctor or healthcare professional before seeking either treatment.

For muscular injuries or chronic pain, dry needling may help reduce inflammation in the affected area while also helping to relieve tension in the surrounding muscles. It can also be a good choice if you are looking for relief from neck or back spasms.

Acupuncture is often recommended for people suffering from stress-related disorders such as anxiety or depression as well as those dealing with physical ailments like migraines and digestive problems. If you’ve been trying various treatments without success then acupuncture could help provide some relief by improving your body’s energy flow.

Finally, both treatments are beneficial to athletes who are looking to improve performance through improved flexibility and mobility.

Conclusion

When trying to decide which technique, dry needling or acupuncture, is right for you, it is important to speak with a qualified health professional and discuss the pros and cons of each. Depending on your physical condition and the type of injury or pain you are dealing with, one treatment may be better suited than the other.

At the end of the day, both techniques have proven successful in treating various conditions when performed by a skilled practitioner. Dry needling may be most beneficial for athletes who have trauma-related injuries whereas acupuncture may be better for those dealing with chronic pain issues such as fibromyalgia. Ultimately, it’s up to you to determine which modality will work best for your body and lifestyle needs.