When most people hear the term “acupuncture”, they think of needles being inserted into the skin. The term “dry needling” is often associated with people suffering from pain as well and it also includes needles being inserted into the skin. But for the most part, that’s where the similarities end. Everything from their origins and benefits, to how many needles and how long a session might take is different. Let’s take a deep dive into both.
The first place to highlight the difference between the two treatments is with their origins. Acupuncture is based on an ancient form of Chinese medicine. The National Library of Medicine reports that acupuncture has been practiced in Asia for over 3000 years. The practice spread to America and Europe between the 16th and 19th centuries.
Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles at different strategic points through the skin. Acupuncture points are used to stimulate the central nervous system. Chemicals are released into the brain, spinal cord and muscles. This, in turn, stimulates the body’s natural healing abilities to promote both emotional well-being and physical health.
Dry needling only dates back to the 1940s, when researchers were experimenting with the injection of anesthetics and other solutions into tender points to alleviate musculoskeletal pain. They found that even just the insertion of a hypodermic needle achieved similar pain relief results to that of actual injections of anesthetics. This became a treatment method for working with the increasingly popular theory of “myofascial trigger points” that had been popularised by the work or Janet Travell (personal physician to John F. Kennedy) and her associate David Simons.
Myofascial trigger points are hyper-irritable tender points within tight bands of skeletal muscle. These points can be “awake”, where they are actively referring pain or dysfunction (which may be elsewhere in the body), or “inactive”, where they are not currently causing any pain but will elicit a painful response when palpated.
Dry needling is a technique that’s often used for sports and physical injuries. It specifically focuses on relieving stiffness and muscle pain. This modern treatment involves the practitioner inserting needles into your skin. These are typically the exact same needles used by acupuncturists. The needles are placed in strategic trigger points in your tissues and muscles. Hard or knotted muscle areas are often targeted.
Dry needling quite often uses techniques that are called sparrow pecking or pistoning. They both involve the in and out movement of the needle so it doesn’t stay inserted under the skin for a long period. The goal is to hit trigger points and then remove them.
It’s important to realize that even though the theory of myofascial trigger points developed independently of acupuncture theory, a similar understanding and treatment exists within acupuncture called “ashi” needling. Ashi needling, a form of dry needling, already existed within the umbrella of traditional acupuncture therapy.
The level of education and amount of training is the big difference between licensed acupuncturists and those who do dry needling. To become an acupuncturist, requires a minimum of a 4 year masters degree, with hundreds of hours of hands on training. As well as formal training, many states in America require that you pass certification examinations
To practice dry needling, courses can be done over a weekend or two. There are currently no official regulations for people like physical therapists or healthcare professionals to practice this technique and no testing is required to demonstrate proficiency.
It’s important to understand the differences between dry needling and acupuncture. While both techniques offer unique benefits, the choice between them often depends on personal preferences, specific health needs and the underlying philosophy one resonates with.
As you consider your options for pain relief and overall wellness, ask yourself which approach aligns best with your health goals.