Acupuncture treatment and dry needling are both forms of treatment that involve the insertion of thin needles into the skin. However, they are based on different principles and are used to treat various conditions.
Dry needling is a form of Western medicine that is typically used to treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. It is based on the principles of anatomy, physiology, and neurophysiology. Physical therapists and other healthcare professionals trained in dry needling use thin needles to stimulate trigger points in muscles and other soft tissues to relieve pain and improve function.
Acupuncture, on the other hand, is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that has been used since 3000 BC. It is based on the principles of Qi (pronounced “chee”), which is the body’s vital energy and the balance and flow of Qi throughout the body. Acupuncture practitioners use thin needles to stimulate specific points on the body called acupoints to balance and restore the flow of Qi, which is believed to promote healing and relieve pain and other symptoms.
Between dry needling vs acupuncture, how do you decide which treatment you need? Let’s learn more about them.
What is Acupuncture Treatment?
Acupuncture has been practiced in China since the Stone Age (3000 B.C.). Over the centuries, acupuncture has spread to other parts of Asia and the world. Today, acupuncture is widely used as a complementary and alternative medicine and is increasingly integrated into Western healthcare systems.
Acupuncture is a therapy that treats a variety of medical conditions through acupuncture needles. This Chinese medical technique involves inserting and manipulating acupuncture needles into specific points, called acupoints, of the body to relieve pain or provide therapy. It works on the system’s yin and yang energy balance and allows natural energy (Qi) to flow freely without obstructions. Acupuncture treatment may also include heat (such as from moxibustion), pressure (such as from cupping), or gentle electrical stimulation to enhance the effects of the needles.
Acupuncture therapy helps in many conditions, including pain, headaches, menstrual cramps, infertility, anxiety, and depression. It is also used to support recovery from surgery and chemotherapy and to manage the symptoms of chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
What is Dry Needling Therapy?
Dry needling has been around since the 1940s but only really became popular in the early 2000s. In the 1940s, Dr. Janet Travell introduced the term “dry needling”– using a hypodermic needle without injecting any substances in the tissue from mode of needling.
In 1979, Dr. Karel Lewit reported pain relief by stimulating trigger points with both hypodermic and acupuncture needles and then in 1989, both Dr. Chan Gunn and Dr. Peter Baldry abandoned the hypodermic needle and adopted the acupuncture needle that we know today (Ruscoe 2013). Hence Gunn used dry needling technique using acupuncture needle where he recommended the manipulation of acupuncture needles to produce a grabbing sensation in patients with trigger point pain. Gunn et al 1980 reported that the techniques were inspired by TA and that DN had powerful therapeutic effects for patients with chronic low back pain.
This dry needle therapy involves inserting an acupuncture needle into the trigger point in the muscle. The needle is inserted deep into the muscle which causes a local twitch response. This is the muscle quickly contracting and relaxing.
Hence we can say that Dry needling benefits in muscle relaxation by generating twitch response and helping muscle to regain its length back.
Dry Needling and Acupuncture Benefits
- Say goodbye to Chronic Pain: Dry needling and acupuncture use thin, solid needles inserted into specific points on the body to alleviate pain. Acupuncture can help with arthritis, back pain, and migraines. Research has shown that these therapies can be as effective as traditional acupuncture for treating chronic pains.
- Dry needling acupuncture improves sleep quality: Acupuncture has long been a natural remedy for insomnia. It can stimulate specific points in the body that promote relaxation and sleep. Not just sleep this treatment can also be beneficial in issues related to snoring and sleep apnea.
- It Boosts Immune Function: Acupuncture boosts the immune system by stimulating specific points associated with the immune system. It also helps with conditions such as allergies and autoimmune disorders. Studies have shown that regular acupuncture treatments can improve overall immune function.
- Helps with addiction and substance abuse: Acupuncture and dry needling needle therapy can help with addiction and substance abuse by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It can reduce issues like depression and anxiety.
Safety Hazards of Acupuncture and Dry Needling
Acupuncture and dry needling are generally considered safe when performed by a qualified practitioner. Serious complications are rare, but like any medical procedure, some risks and side effects may occur.
The most common side effects of acupuncture treatment include mild pain, bleeding, or bruising at the needle site. There is also a small risk of infection, injury to internal organs, or an allergic reaction to the needles.
The most common side effects of dry needling are mild and include pain, bleeding, or bruising at the needle site. There is also a small risk of injury to internal organs, infection, or nerve damage.
It is important to note that acupuncture and dry needling may not be appropriate for everyone and should not be used in certain situations, such as if you have a bleeding disorder, if you are pregnant, or if you have a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device.
It is essential to talk to your healthcare provider before trying any alternative or complementary therapy, including acupuncture and dry needling, especially if you already have a medical condition or are taking medications. They can help you determine if the treatment is safe for you and what kind of practitioner you should see.
Overall, acupuncture and dry needling are considered safe when performed by a qualified practitioner and if they use high-quality acupuncture needles.
Conclusion
Dry needling and acupuncture share many similarities but may differ in certain aspects. Both acupuncture and dry needling therapy are based on modern biomedical understandings of the human body, although dry needling arguably represents only one subcategory of acupuncture.
Now that you understand the fundamental distinction between the two, you could also investigate the various types of acupuncture needles and whether they make a significant difference or not.
References:
Legge D. A history of dry needling. J Musculoskelet Pain 2014;22:301–7
Simons DG, Travell JG, Simons LS. Myofascial pain and dysfunction: the trigger point manual, vol 1. Upper half of body, 2nd edn. North Atlantic Books, 1999.
Gunn CC, Milbrandt WE, Little AS, et al. Dry needling of muscle motor points for chronic low-back pain: a randomized clinical trial with long-term follow-up. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1980;5:279–91.
Kehua Zhou, Yan Ma, Michael S Brogan: Dry needling versus acupuncture: the ongoing debate , Acupunct Med 2015;33:485–490. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2015-010911