
What is the difference between Dry Needling and Acupuncture?
- Acupuncture. With Acupuncture, or Traditional Chinese Medicine, a practitioner learns to needle as part of a very extensive course spanning over 4 to 5 years.
- Dry Needling. ...
- The differences. ...
Is cupping better than acupuncture or dry needling?
Cupping isnt better than acupuncture, just different. It has a different mechanism of action - meaning that it works differently than acupuncture does in getting muscles to relax. It's like if you were to ask "is magnesium better than calcium?". To which my response wo Ok first off, modern dry needling is the same thing as acupuncture.
How does dry needling differ from acupuncture?
What does research say about acupuncture?
- Low back pain. A 2015 review of studies found that acupuncture could provide short-term relief from low back pain. ...
- Knee pain. Pain caused by osteoarthritis in the knee is a leading cause of disability among adults. ...
- Neck pain. ...
- Migraines and headaches. ...
- Labor pains. ...
- Smoking cessation. ...
- Depression. ...
What does dry needling do and when is it recommended?
Dry needling is almost always used as a part of an overall plan that will likely include some type of exercise, manual therapy, heat therapy, and education. Dry needling is used to increase range of motion that may be limited due to muscle tightness or scar tissue. Dry needling may also treat: Joint problems. Disk problems.
What is dry needling and what does it do?
The most common trigger points lead to these issues:
- Lower back pain
- Sciatica
- Headaches and migraines
- Strains in your groin, hamstring or muscles
- Pain in your shoulders, neck, knees and hips
- Carpal tunnel
- Osteoarthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, tendonitis, bursitis and other overuse injuries

Which one is better dry needling or acupuncture?
A 2014 review found that dry needling in muscles and tissues around the pain point reduces pain and sensitivity more than needling just in the pain point. This dry needling strategy is more similar to acupuncture in that it treats a larger area of muscles and nerves.
How long do dry needling benefits last?
After dry needling, experiencing some slight soreness is normal, and you will typically note an improvement in your symptoms within one to two days. How long the benefits will last will vary per individual. The first few treatments will usually have a short length of relief spanning over several days.
Does dry needling count as acupuncture?
“Dry needling,” as defined by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)1, follows the same definition as “acupuncture” in the state of California.
What is dry needling good for?
Dry needling treats muscle tissue, and its goal is to reduce pain, inactivate trigger points and restore function. It rarely is a standalone procedure. Rather, it often is part of a broader physical therapy approach incorporating other traditional physical therapy interventions into treatment.
How often should you get dry needling?
If a client has good results with dry needling, they may get dry needling 1-2 times per week. Once the muscle release and pain decreases, dry needling may only be required once per month or as required. Often client's may request dry needling because that is the one thing that helps them.
Can dry needling make things worse?
Some uncommon, sub-1% adverse effects included aggravation of symptoms, headache, nausea, shaking, itching, and numbness. “Aggravation of symptoms” is one of the most important considerations from the patient perspective (and the least likely to be known/reported by practitioners).
Does dry needling work for nerve pain?
Dry needling is an effective treatment for chronic neuropathic pain with very few side effects. Manage neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments due to myofascial trigger points.
How painful is dry needling?
Does dry needling hurt? The actual inserting of the needle does not hurt—these needles are very thin. Sometimes the muscle will twitch when you put it in, and it can feel sore if that happens. You usually will feel a little muscle ache or soreness for a day or two after that feels like you worked out that muscle.
Can dry needling cause nerve damage?
Some dry needling treatments involve repetitive and rapid needle insertions into myofascial trigger points. This type of treatment causes muscle injury and can also damage nerve fibers.
How deep do dry needles go?
Superficial dry needling [9] involves inserting a needle at a depth up to 10 mm or into the subcutaneous tissue and may be combined with manipulation of the needle while in situ.
Does dry needling help with inflammation?
Dry needling can help reduce pain and soreness. A specially trained physical therapist uses a thin needle to release muscle tightness, ease tendonitis and inflammation, and/or promote healing.
Can I dry needle myself?
3:158:33Dry Needling on Myself! How does it work and what is it? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you wind it up a little bit try and stimulate that collagen tissue to remodel and get loosenedMoreSo you wind it up a little bit try and stimulate that collagen tissue to remodel and get loosened out basically.
WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is a form of medical treatment that’s been used for thousands of years, and originated in Asian medicine. Expert modern acupuncturists train for 3-4 years. Traditional acupuncturists trained for much longer. Some insurances cover the cost of acupuncture treatment, but many still don’t.
Dry Needling At Warner Orthopedics & Wellness
Both of these therapies may be beneficial for you in different ways, or one may be more suitable than the other. If you’re curious to see how acupuncture or dry needling can help you, click below to schedule your consultation appointment:
What is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?
The difference between dry needling and acupuncture is that dry needling is used to treat cases of chronic and acute pain without the use of medication, surgical procedures, etc.
What is dry needle acupuncture?
Dry needle treatment, also known as myofascial point dry needling, is a remarkable and completely natural treatment for chronic and acute pain. Often used as part of a larger treatment plan, it is widely misunderstood by many patients who have questions ...
How long does it take for acupuncture needles to work?
During acupuncture, the needles are usually left in place for 15 to 30 minutes. It is most often used to treat internal ailments, including digestive problems, insomnia, stress and chronic pain.
When was dry needle treatment first used?
Dry needle treatment is a relatively new treatment based on modern Western medicine. This treatment was developed in the 1980s, and during treatment, needles are inserted into trigger points, or tender bands of muscle located within larger muscles.
Is dry needles safe in Denver?
At Denver Physical Medicine, we are proud to offer safe and effective dry needle treatment in Denver. We’ve helped patients suffering from back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, knee pain, muscle spasms, muscle strains and a number of other painful conditions, and we’d be more than happy to meet with you to discuss how dry needling can help you regain the freedom of a life without pain.
The History of Dry Needling
Dry needling was inspired by traditional Chinese medicine. But it was adopted by countless physical therapists, chiropractors, and Western medicine doctors.
The History of Acupuncture
Acupuncture, on the other hand, has been around for approximately 3000 years. The first documentation of acupuncture is described as an organized system of diagnosis and treatment is in The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, which dates back to 100 BCE.
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling (as the name describes) is a treatment involving dry needles that are performed by qualified, professional physical therapists, chiropractors, and other doctors certified in practicing the technique.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture derives from ancient Chinese medicine, where fine, sharp needles are inserted into your body. It works by triggering the release of your body’s own natural painkillers, known as endorphins. The needles are placed in your skin at various depths.
The Similarities & Differences
Acupuncture and dry needling both use thin, sharp, and stainless steel needles. Both treatments use needles that are inserted into the skin, and both help relieve and treat pain. This is where the similarities end. The techniques are as different as black and white.
What are the benefits of acupuncture?
Acupuncture is used to treat and relieve discomfort associated with a handful of distraught pains and conditions such as:
Which Treatment Should You Seek?
You’re dealing with the discomfort associated with symptoms of chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting. As well as other discomforts like dental pain and headaches, like tension headaches and migraines.
