<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recently, some of my new patients have asked me, \u201cWhat is dry needling?\u201d and \u201cWhat\u2019s the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?\u201d When I asked them about their experiences with dry needling, some said the practitioner used the same type of needle that I use for acupuncture, inserting it into the muscle where they were feeling pain. Some even mentioned that the practitioner hooked the needles up to an electro-acupuncture machine. For some, the treatment helped; for others, it did not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After thinking about it, here\u2019s how I usually respond: Most people receive dry needling at a physical therapy office. While physical therapists and other healthcare providers receive training in various techniques, they typically do not<\/strong> undergo the extensive, focused education that licensed acupuncturists receive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To become a licensed acupuncturist in the U.S., one must complete at least three years of graduate-level education covering the fundamental principles of East Asian medicine, the meridian (channel) system, and the 365+ acupuncture points. Students learn how to use these points in combination to bring about significant changes in how we feel, move, and function\u2014both physically and mentally. This is followed by nearly 1,000 supervised clinical hours under the guidance of experienced master acupuncturists. Lastly, aspiring acupuncturists must pass rigorous board exams in order to earn licensure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without this training and licensure, practitioners cannot legally or ethically call their treatment \u201cacupuncture,\u201d even if they are using acupuncture needles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, why do practitioners from other professions use \u201cdry needling\u201d? Perhaps because acupuncture has shown to be more effective in some cases than the core treatments they were originally trained in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s worth noting that many medical doctors, physical therapists, and chiropractors have chosen to attend acupuncture school, complete the full training, and earn a license. Once licensed, they refer to what they do as acupuncture<\/strong>, not dry needling<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Acupuncture is far more than simply inserting a needle where you feel pain. The choice of point, needle depth, technique, and manipulation all play a critical role in the treatment\u2019s effectiveness. Acupuncture has even been used to induce anesthesia during surgery, reducing the need for conventional anesthetics and minimizing side effects\u2014something that demonstrates the profound power of this medical system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDry needling is acupuncture performed by someone without an acupuncture license,\u201d<\/strong> or,
\u201cDry needling is simply inserting an acupuncture needle into a painful area.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n