Dry needling has gained in popularity lately for it’s use in pain control. It has often been compared to or confused with acupuncture. Here are the major differences and similarities:
- Acupuncture primarily uses predefined points along pathways that have been mapped out over thousands of years (see the picture above.) Dry needling does not use these predefined points. Rather, needles are placed directly into trigger points or other myofascial (muscle and connective tissue) structures that have been identified as the source of pain.
- Acupuncture is useful for pain and many other conditions. Dry needling is used primarily for myofascial pain.
- When stimulated by a needle or other methods, each acupuncture point has a specific effect upon the flow of Chi, the electromagnetic energy that flows through the pathways. In dry needling, the presence of the needle is intended to release the trigger point or myofascial tension.
- Acupuncture treatments last 30-60 minutes, whereas Dry Needling is 5-20 minutes.
- The needles used in acupuncture and dry needling are the same. Likewise, the needle may be manipulated during acupuncture or dry needling treatment to elicit the desired effect.
- Both are relatively painless! You may feel a momentary pinching sensation, but it’s typically gone within a few seconds.
We offer both Acupuncture and Dry Needling! Call today to find out which is a better choice for you!