Differences between dry needling and acupuncture
Dry needling and acupuncture appear to be the same, as these two practices utilise fine needles on specific body parts for therapeutic purposes. These two techniques can also be used alongside physiotherapy to manage pain. However, that’s where their similarities end.
The key difference between dry needling and acupuncture rests within their individual principles. Dry needling’s emphasis is on human anatomy and draws upon neurophysiological fundamentals, whereas traditional acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. In addition, whilst acupuncture, a practice that dates back to ancient China, is widely accepted as a complementary treatment with strict guidelines in place, dry needling is a newer form of therapy that’s still being studied.
In this article, let’s delve further into the distinct components of dry needling and acupuncture.
Purpose and function
Dry needling: Aims to relieve tension on pressure points and knots in the muscles to reduce aches and cramps and improve flexibility. Dry needling also helps stimulate activate muscles and normalise the tone of muscle to its ideal strong and flexible state. It is an effective treatment for sciatica pain, muscle tension, teeth grinding and frozen shoulder. Additionally, dry needling is suitable for pregnant women.
Acupuncture: Aims to balance a person’s chi or energy life force. It is commonly used to treat pain, discomfort, and tension in the body, as well as various ailments like muscular pain, nausea, PMS, headaches and others.
Tools
Dry needling: Single-use needles are inserted into pressure points. These specific parts, also known as trigger points, are knots or tight areas in the muscles. Length of needles depends on the treatment administered. Needles are also discarded after use for hygiene and safety purposes.
Acupuncture: Long, thin needles are used in medical acupuncture to stimulate the nerves in the muscles and beneath the skin. Endorphins may be produced as a result, which can help with the healing of symptoms.
Procedure
Dry needling: Needles are inserted into specific points or areas based on the condition that would be treated. Depending on the condition, the practitioner may leave the needle in the spot for a length of time.
Acupuncture: Needles are inserted at various depths and stay in for a few minutes or as long as 20 minutes.
Qualifications
Dry needling: In Malaysia, only individuals with medical qualifications can undertake dry needling training and certification.
Acupuncture: Practitioners are required to have a licence and significant training to perform acupuncture. Generally, a minimum of three years of training is mandatory.
Studies and research
Dry needling: Currently, evidence supporting the practice of dry needling is very limited. However, some studies attest to the technique’s ability to reduce mild to moderate pain.
Acupuncture: Numerous studies supports the efficacy of acupuncture in treating a variety of illnesses, such as migraines, depression, and arthritis. There is also ongoing research on the use of acupuncture for other diseases.
Whether you would like to try dry needling or acupuncture, consult your doctor or a professional therapist beforehand. If you are looking for a way to manage your pain effectively, schedule an appointment with our physiotherapists at B-Physica to get an accurate assessment of your condition.
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