What Is The Difference Between Dry Needling and Acupuncture?
If you’ve been told to consider dry needling as opposed to acupuncture, the two terms may be confusing to you. They look incredibly similar to the untrained eye, so what is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture? The main differences between the two procedures involve where the needles are placed, and which specialists perform the treatments.
Is Acupuncture “Wet”?
As the name suggests, the “dry” needles inserted during dry needling treatments don’t contain any fluids. But that’s not to suggest that acupuncture needles do contain medication. In fact, both treatments involve thin needles of the type that don’t inject medication. Rather than introducing medicine into your system, acupuncture and “dry” needles are placed in order to provoke an internal. self-healing response.
What are the Main Differences?
Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Its principals were first developed thousands of years ago. Acupuncture needles are placed in such a way as to correspond with “meridian” lines believed to connect the body’s internal organs and other systems. Those connections are accomplished through “qi flows,” meaning the flow of energy between meridian points. The benefits of acupuncture are believed to come from these qi flows.
An Eastern version of dry needling does exist within TCM. But the specific type used in Western physical therapy was developed during the 1980s. This type of dry needling is based on modern understanding of the anatomy. Dry needling targets key muscle groups, rather than the meridian points which are the focus of acupuncture treatment.
Who Performs Dry Needling or Acupuncture?
Because acupuncture is based on traditions that aren’t well understood in Western medicine, it can only be performed by someone who is certified in the practice. TCM training can take three years for the acupuncture component alone. If you are interested in traditional acupuncture, it’s best to go to someone certified in acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM). Otherwise, serious infections or other adverse reactions can occur from a therapist’s imprecise knowledge of proper needle placement for various ailments.
Dry needling, on the other hand, is a more straightforward practice. It should certainly be performed by a board-certified physical therapist under sterile conditions. But because dry needling is based on well-understood anatomical principles, needle placement isn’t a mysterious, complex process that takes an advanced degree to master.
How Dry Needling Helps
Has your doctor confirmed that your decreased range of motion, as well any pain or spasming, is due to muscle tension? If so, dry needling may help. The goal is to restore normal function that may have been compromised by scar tissue from an injury, or from repetitive motion. Even stress can cause pain and stiffness, because regular anxiety bouts lead to frequent muscle clenching.
Your physical therapist will locate the exact trigger point that requires treatment. Next, needles will be inserted in order to cause a painless “twitch” that relieves tension in the muscle. Different points around the area may require needle treatment. A few dry needle sessions might be needed before you feel better. But ultimately, dry needling can be a key component in reducing pain while improving muscle function and range.
Still confused about what is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture — and which is right for you? Contact our office to discuss your particular injury or problem. As a treatment center specializing in dry needling, we can help you understand whether the pain and stiffness you’re experiencing can benefit from the dry needling technique.
Source
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myofascial-pain-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20375444
https://www.moveforwardpt.com/Resources/Detail/dry-needling-by-physical-therapist-what-you-should
https://denverphysicalmedicine.com/blog/difference-dry-needling-acupuncture/
https://freedomchinesemedicine.com/difference-dry-needling-acupuncture/
http://www.strengthtrainingrehab.com/importance-physical-therapy-sports-related-injury/
