Differences Between Dry Needling & Traditional Acupuncture.
Acupuncture and dry needling are two distinct forms of therapy that involve the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. While both therapies use needles to treat various conditions, the differences in their training, philosophy, and technique make them unique modalities. In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between traditional acupuncture and dry needling.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical practice that has been around for more than 2,000 years. It is based on the idea that the body's energy flows through pathways called meridians. When these meridians become blocked, it can cause illness or pain. Acupuncture aims to stimulate specific points along the meridians with needles, promoting the body's natural healing response and restoring the energy balance.
Acupuncture training typically involves a three- to four-year degree program, with courses in anatomy, physiology, acupuncture theory, and traditional Chinese medicine. Practitioners must also complete a specified number of clinical hours and pass an exam to become licensed.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling, on the other hand, is a Western technique that involves inserting needles into specific points in the muscle to alleviate pain and promote healing. It is based on the concept of trigger points, which are hyperirritable spots in the muscles that can cause pain and discomfort.
Dry needling training is typically a postgraduate course for healthcare professionals such as physical therapists, chiropractors, and medical doctors. The course typically involves a weekend or several weekends of training and does not require a degree in traditional Chinese medicine.
What are the Key Differences?
The main difference between acupuncture and dry needling lies in their philosophy and approach to treatment. Acupuncture is based on the concept of energy flow and seeks to restore the balance of the body's energy through stimulation of specific points on the meridians. Dry needling, on the other hand, is based on Western anatomy and physiology and seeks to relieve muscle pain and tension by targeting trigger points.
Another significant difference is the training required to become a practitioner. Acupuncturists typically undergo a more extensive education, including courses in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture theory, and clinical hours. In contrast, dry needling training typically involves a weekend course or several weekends of training and does not require a degree in traditional Chinese medicine.
Conclusion
Acupuncture and dry needling are two distinct forms of therapy that use needles to treat various conditions. While both therapies involve the insertion of needles into specific points on the body, they differ in their philosophy, approach to treatment, and training requirements. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine and energy flow, while dry needling is based on Western anatomy and physiology and targets trigger points in the muscles. Practitioners of acupuncture undergo a more extensive education than those of dry needling, including a degree in traditional Chinese medicine and clinical hours.
References:
Ahn AC, Colbert AP, Anderson BJ, et al. Electrical properties of acupuncture points and meridians: a systematic review. Bioelectromagnetics. 2008;29(4):245-256.
Dommerholt J, Mayoral del Moral O, Gröbli C. Trigger point dry needling. J Man Manip Ther. 2006;14(4):E70-87.
Filshie J, Cummings TM. Western medical acupuncture: a definition. Acupunct Med. 2001;19(2):33-35.
Lee JH, Lee SW. Traditional acupuncture versus western dry needling: which is more effective in treatment of musculoskeletal disorders?: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(31):e8034.