Dry needling and acupuncture involve puncturing the skin with fine needles for therapeutic purposes. While the aim is to provide pain relief, the practices are otherwise quite different. Read on to find out the difference between acupuncture and dry needling.
What is dry needling?
Dry needling is a technique used for muscle pain and tension.
4 facts about dry needling
- evolved from trigger point therapy
- uses similar needles to acupuncture
- can help many chronic and acute soft tissue conditions
- not everyone is an ideal candidate for dry needling
The term ‘dry needling’ was first used in the book “Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: Trigger Point Manual”. The term refers to the solid needles that are used .
The placement of needles comes from the theory of trigger point therapy. The practitioner aims to target the point of pain and tension in the muscle. Practitioners aim to produce a local twitch response (LTR). This causes the muscle fibres to contract and therefore indicates correct placement of the needle. This then provides a better outcome.
There is little scientific evidence into trigger point therapy or dry needling. However, the practices are widely recognised by physical therapists and are the foundation of most remedial massage treatments.
What is acupuncture?
The tradition of acupuncture has been around for thousands of years. Practitioners use needles to stimulate energy channels throughout the body. This in effect creates balanced energy and a healthy body and mind.
4 Facts About Acupuncture
- treats pain
- may help other conditions
- has few side effects
- practitioners need formal training and credentials
Acupuncture can be used to treat a wide range of conditions. Acupuncturists regularly treat conditions affecting multiple systems of the body. These systems include the respiratory, digestive, cardio-vascular, reproductive, urinary and nervous systems.
The placement of needles in acupuncture is very specific and uses protocols for stimulation of the energy channels.
There are extensive studies into acupuncture; especially for back and neck pain, osteoarthritis pain, and headache. Research suggests that acupuncture can help manage some pain conditions but evidence for other health issues is uncertain.
The risks of needling
Both practices are safe when performed by a well trained practitioner. Common side effects include local tenderness, minor bleeding and bruising. Single-use, disposable needles are standard, so the risk of infection is minimal. Improperly performed acupuncture or dry needling can cause serious complications such as infections, organ puncture and in rare cases collapsed lung.
Cautions for needling include blood clotting disorders (e.g. haemophilia and advanced liver disease), use of blood thinning medications, severe psychiatric disorders (e.g. psychosis) and skin infections or skin trauma (e.g. cuts and burns).
Always ensure your practitioner is qualified and certified. They should be insured and follow safe infection control procedures.
