Acupuncture vs Dry Needling: Understanding the Differences and Benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture
Both dry needling and acupuncture are techniques that involve the insertion of thin needles into the skin to stimulate therapeutic effects, targeting trigger points or pressure points in muscles to release tension and relieve pain. They differ in their origins, philosophies, and applications.
In this article, we will explore the key differences between both dry needling and acupuncture and why traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncture, when performed by a licensed and qualified degree-trained acupuncturist, is a superior choice for pain relief and overall health.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine that has been practised for thousands of years. It is based on the belief that the body has a vital life force known as Qi (pronounced “chee”), which flows through channels called meridians. Acupuncturists insert thin, sterile needles into specific points along these meridians to stimulate the flow of Qi and restore balance in the body. A fundamental belief in traditional Chinese medicine is the concept of 'healing energy', which acupuncture aims to harness by removing blockages in the body's energy flow to restore balance and promote healing.
What is Trigger Point Dry Needling?
Dry needling, also known as trigger point dry needling, is a modern treatment technique that has gained popularity in recent years. It is primarily used by physical therapists and sports injury therapists to treat physical pain, such as muscle pain and tension.
Dry needling involves the insertion of stainless steel needles into specific myofascial trigger points in the muscles, with the aim of releasing tension and improving blood flow. This method specifically targets and treats myofascial trigger points to alleviate pain, enhance mobility, and address musculoskeletal issues. Additionally, the in-and-out technique is employed, involving quickly inserting and removing the needle from a trigger point without leaving it in the skin for too long, to treat pain, provide relief and facilitate muscle recovery.
Relieve Muscle Pain Safely: Why Degree-Trained Acupuncturists Are Better Than Dry Needling Therapists
As a degree-trained acupuncturist who studied Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) extensively, I have significant concerns about the safety aspects of dry needling compared to TCM acupuncture.
Dry needling is often taught in short courses lasting only a weekend or two, while acupuncturists like myself undergo years of rigorous training in anatomy, physiology, diagnosis, and needle techniques.
This stark difference in training is worrying from a safety perspective. A recent BBC article highlighted a case where a sports therapist performing dry needling caused a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) in a patient due to improper needle placement. Incidents like this underscore the importance of extensive training to safely insert needles and avoid serious complications.
In contrast, TCM acupuncture has a long history of safe practice when performed by qualified professionals. We are trained to precisely locate acupuncture points and insert needles at the proper depth to stimulate the desired therapeutic effect without harming underlying structures. The meridian system in TCM may correspond to the pathways of nerves, blood vessels, and fascia that dry needling aims to target.
However, dry needling's focus on quickly inserting a single needle in and out of trigger points has not been well-studied for safety and efficacy. TCM acupuncture, with its holistic approach and use of multiple needles retained for 5-40 minutes, has a stronger evidence base from randomized controlled trials.
As a degree-qualified, trained and licensed acupuncturist, I believe the extensive training required to practice TCM acupuncture safely is critical. Dry needling's rapid growth in popularity is concerning, given the short training courses and lack of rigorous safety standards in many places. Patients deserve treatments from highly qualified professionals to ensure their well-being and achieve the best possible outcomes.
Key Differences Between Acupuncture and Dry Needling for Chronic Pain
Origins and Philosophy: Comparing dry needling and acupuncture reveals significant differences in their techniques, origins, and therapeutic effects. Acupuncture is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and its primary philosophy is to restore balance and harmony in the body. Dry needling, on the other hand, is a modern technique that focuses on treating specific muscle pain and tension.
Training and Licensing: Acupuncturists undergo extensive training and must be licensed by the council and local authority in which they practice. In contrast, the training and licensing requirements for dry needling vary widely, with some practitioners receiving only a few hours of training. To perform dry needling, practitioners in most areas are physical therapists with no official regulations in place to determine the qualifications of practitioners, highlighting a stark difference from the strong regulations and extensive training required for acupuncture practitioners. Dry needling therapists offer acupuncture services without really understanding the dynamics of what the acupuncture points do.
Needle Insertion Techniques: Acupuncturists insert needles into specific acupuncture point locations based on traditional Chinese medicine principles. Dry needling practitioners insert needles into trigger points, which are specific areas of muscle tension or pain.
Treatment Approach: Acupuncture seeks to treat the root cause of the problem and address the whole person, while dry needling focuses on treating specific symptoms or muscle pain.
Benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture
Pain Relief: Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of pain conditions, including chronic pain, neck pain, knee pain, and sports injuries. It is particularly noted for its ability to relieve pain and muscle tension by stimulating nerves to release endorphins, the body's natural painkillers.
Improved Blood Flow: Acupuncture can stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural pain-relieving chemicals in the body, and improve blood flow to the affected area, further helping to relieve pain.
Reduced Muscle Tension: Acupuncture can help release muscle tension, relieve trigger points, and relieve muscle pain, which are areas of tightness or pain in the muscles. This makes it an effective method for improving flexibility and reducing discomfort associated with muscle cramping and tightness.
Holistic Approach: Acupuncture takes a holistic approach to health, addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the individual. This can lead to improved overall well-being and a greater sense of balance and harmony in the body.
There is limited clinical research directly comparing the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncture and dry needling. However, some studies suggest that TCM acupuncture may have advantages over dry needling:
A 2022 review paper discussed the similarities and differences between acupuncture and dry-needling theories and practices. The authors noted that while dry needling is based on modern medicine and myofascial trigger point theory, acupuncture is rooted in the ancient principles of TCM. They argued that myofascial trigger points may be the precise acupuncture points under modern scientific research and that the meridians in TCM involve the pathways of central sensitization, nerves, vessels, and fascia mechanics.
While dry needling advocates for single needle insertions with repetitive, quick in-and-out pistoning, most acupuncture and dry needling clinical trials have incorporated multiple needles for 5-40 minutes. The authors noted that to date, using a single needle to repeatedly prick trigger points one at a time with fast-in and fast-out pistoning has not been well-studied.
While these articles suggest potential advantages of TCM acupuncture, more high-quality randomized controlled trials directly comparing the two techniques are needed to determine if one is clinically superior for pain relief and other outcomes.
It's important to note that TCM acupuncture has existed for over 4,000 years and is still widely used in China alongside modern medicine today. The fact that this ancient practice has endured for millennia and remains an integral part of the Chinese healthcare system speaks to its effectiveness and value.
If dry needling was truly more effective than TCM acupuncture, it seems unlikely that the Chinese would have continued relying on acupuncture for so long. The longevity of TCM acupuncture suggests that it offers unique benefits and therapeutic mechanisms that dry needling has yet to replicate. While dry needling may provide fast, targeted relief for certain musculoskeletal conditions, acupuncture's holistic approach to restoring balance and harmony in the body could lead to more comprehensive and lasting improvements in health and well-being
My Experience as a Degree-Trained Acupuncturist
As a qualified degree-trained acupuncturist, I can personally attest to the unique experience and benefits of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) acupuncture compared to dry needling. Many of my patients have previously undergone dry needling treatments elsewhere, and they often comment on how different acupuncture feels and how much more effective it is for their overall health and well-being.
An article in Acupuncture Today discussed this phenomenon, noting that TCM acupuncturists frequently find that patients referred from dry needling practitioners experience acupuncture "so differently". The author argued that TCM acupuncture, with its focus on pattern differentiation and treating the whole person, offers a unique approach compared to dry needling's localised treatment of pain.
In my practice, I use a comprehensive TCM approach that includes detailed questioning, tongue and pulse diagnosis, and the insertion of needles into specific acupuncture points. This allows me to create a customised treatment plan that addresses the root cause of the problem and promotes overall balance and harmony in the body.
My patients often report feeling a deep sense of relaxation and well-being during and after their acupuncture treatments. They also notice improvements in their physical symptoms, such as reduced pain and muscle tension, as well as positive changes in their emotional and mental states.
In contrast, patients who have previously undergone dry needling often describe it as a more localised and sometimes uncomfortable experience. While dry needling may provide temporary relief for specific muscle pain, it does not address the underlying imbalances that may be contributing to the problem.
Conclusion
While both acupuncture and dry needling involve the insertion of thin needles into the skin, they differ in their origins, philosophies, and applications. Traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture, performed by a licensed and qualified degree-trained acupuncturist, offers a superior approach to pain relief and overall health. With its focus on restoring balance and harmony in the body, acupuncture can provide long-lasting relief from a wide range of physical and emotional ailments.
References to the research