Pain management without the use of pharmaceuticals is one of the chief goals of all physical therapy modalities. And two specific treatments using similar methods – acupuncture and dry needling – have become prominent in recent years for this reason. Both of them utilize sterile needles as a method to target and relieve pain, but there are many significant differences between acupuncture and dry needling. If you are a patient deciding on treatment options with the guidance of your physical therapist, it’s important to know what distinguishes these two methods.
At JAG Physical Therapy, we are New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania’s top name in multi-speciality PT, including dry needling, acupuncture, and many more specialized modalities. Our team is always ready to help you relieve your pain, get your mobility back, and return to your routine. Schedule your appointment now or read below for more on what makes acupuncture and dry needling effective pain management techniques.
What is Acupuncture and How Does It Work?
Acupuncture was one of the first practices of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to develop, making it one of the earliest medical techniques in the world that is still used. Its origins are ancient and shrouded in myth; some texts credit legendary figures like the ox-headed emperor Shennong with inventing or systematizing acupuncture. The main tool of acupuncture is thin, sterile needles, which are inserted into the skin according to a standardized map of acupoints. These points correspond to TCM’s theories about life energy, or qi.
According to these theories, diagnosis is made via eight principles (four sets of opposites): exterior, interior, hot, cold, empty, full, yin, and yang. Abnormalities in the flow of qi along meridians, or the paths between acupoints, can cause these principles to become out of balance and affect the health. Inserting needles into the acupoints is meant to redirect or rebalance the qi, thus alleviating symptoms.
Acupuncture claims to be able to treat pain, fatigue, and other issues in various body areas by using needles elsewhere in the body. For example, an acupuncturist may determine that the acupoints needed to treat recurring stomach pain may be in the shin. Although acupuncture may be mildly painful, some skilled practitioners can insert needles painlessly. Some patients report a localized numbing or tingling feeling at the acupoints being punctured.
What is Dry Needling and How Does It Differ from Acupuncture?
While the tools and method of dry needling have a lot in common with acupuncture, that is where many of the similarities end. Dry needling is a modern practice: The idea of therapy for myofascial trigger points began in the late 20th century, and the term was coined in 1983. Unlike acupuncture, dry needling uses needles directly in the location of a musculoskeletal ailment. It does not theorize about life energy, but instead utilizes the needles to target specific places along the fibers of muscle tissue.
The basic function of muscle is to tense and relax in order to perform all manner of bodily actions. Skeletal muscle is under our voluntary control, but in the case of some injuries and ailments, we may lose some of this control. Myofascial trigger points are sections of muscle that remain tensed even when the rest of the muscle relaxes. They may cause pain, stiffness, weakness, or swelling, and sometimes can be felt as raised bumps. A therapist trained in dry needling will locate these trigger points and insert needles into them, inducing them to relax in order to relieve the symptoms they cause.
Ultimately, dry needling’s goal is localized treatment, rather than addressing a perceived systemic issue. Dry needling therapists focus on the musculoskeletal system, and especially the extremities, in order to restore pain-free mobility.
Which is Better for Pain Management: Acupuncture or Dry Needling?
Acupuncture and dry needling are both widely-used pain management techniques, but this does not mean they are interchangeable. While both methods are trusted by many physical therapy patients who have tried them, some people may benefit more from one rather than the other.
For example, acupuncture’s benefits include relief from fatigue and malaise. It focuses on the entire body, sometimes treating disparate body regions. This means that acupuncture may be suitable for people with chronic pain, such as from autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis or from idiopathic sources. However, people recovering from athletic injuries or other conditions affecting a specific part may be better served with a different treatment.
Meanwhile, dry needling, by contrast, treats small areas that have been identified as containing trigger points. This means that it is meant primarily for people with a specific musculoskeletal complaint, such as a strain or inflammation. Dry needling’s benefits, including increased flexibility and faster recovery, may not necessarily help patients with symptoms that are not localized.
When Should You Consider Acupuncture or Dry Needling?
You may want to try acupuncture or dry needling if other, less invasive physical therapy methods alone haven’t fully treated your symptoms. As an example, if you have been receiving manual and aquatic therapy for a hip injury, but some level of pain continues and you don’t have full mobility back, it is possible that dry needling would be ideal for you.
Ultimately, you should make decisions about your treatment in consultation with a trained physical therapist. If your PT provider is certified in acupuncture or dry needling, or they have a colleague who is, they are likely to recommend one of these techniques to you if they determine you’re a good candidate.
Schedule a Consultation with JAG Physical Therapy
As a physical therapy patient, there are a variety of pain management techniques available to you, and some may be better than others for your specific situation and lifestyle. JAG Physical Therapy is your local, trusted source for multispecialty PT – our compassionate staff will help you find the right combination of treatments, which may include dry needling or acupuncture, to return you to pain-free daily life. Contact us now with any questions or schedule your appointment today to get started with pain relief through PT.