Dry Needling vs Acupuncture- What's the Difference?
Dry Needling in Holly Springs, NC
A common statement I hear from a lot of patients is: “Oh yeah! I’ve had dry needling before, it's just like acupuncture right?”
My answer…not exactly! The only similarity is the needles that we use!
Dry needling and acupuncture are based on very different philosophies and are used for different purposes.
Dry needling is a modern treatment technique that can be used by physical therapists to treat muscle pain and movement problems. It is based on Western medicine principles using anatomy, physiology, and neuroscience. During dry needling, a thin needle is inserted directly into a tight muscle band or “trigger point”. These tight areas can cause pain at the area itself, restrict movement and even refer pain to other parts of the body.
The goal of dry needling is to release muscle tension, decrease pain, improve blood flow, restore movement and calm an overactive nervous system. Dry needling is typically one part of a comprehensive physical therapy plan that also includes exercise, mobility work, and strength training.
Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and has been practiced for over 2,000 years. It is based on the concept of balancing the body’s energy or “qi” which flows through pathways called meridians. Rather than targeting specific tight muscles, acupuncture involves placing needles at specific points along these energy pathways and only minimally breaks the skin’s barrier.
Acupuncture is often used for pain relief, stress, anxiety, sleep issues and digestive problems and is usually performed as a stand-alone treatment rather than as part of a rehab program.
If you’re curious whether dry needling is right for you, talk with your physical therapist. We can help determine if it fits your specific condition and goals.
Nicole Perna PT, DPT
Evolve Physical Therapy
