Acupuncture vs. Dry needling: What’s the Difference? Which is Better?

EDUCATION / TRAINING

Acupuncture

• Acupuncturists are required to have a minimum of 1,800 hours of training to become licensed.

• At Empirical Medicine, our doctors have over 3,930 hours of primary training with many more in continuing education. 

Dry Needling

• Generally speaking chiropractors and physical therapists are required to take short continuing education courses amounting to 134 hours of total training in order to legally perform dry needling.

• However, in Arizona, physical therapists (PTs) are required to do a mere 24 hours of training and chiropractors are required to have 27 hours of training with only 10 of those required to be in-person.

DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES OF ACUPUNCTURE AND DRY NEEDLING

Similarities:

• Acupuncture and dry needling both use solid needles that are incredibly thin. 

Diferences:

• Acupuncture stimulates or releases points on the body along meridian or energy systems of the body. Each point has certain indications and they in combination as well as individually have the capacity to powerfully support the organ and meridian systems of the body to help rebalance and relieve pain.

• Dry needling targets specific muscle motor points, trigger points and tissues to reduce pain and increase range of motion in the short term

SHORT HISTORY OF ACUPUNCTURE AND DRY NEEDLING - ORIGINS

Acupuncture 

• Originated in China over 2500 years ago and has stood the test of time. There are extensive written records of its effectiveness and thousands of books on techniques and detailed indications. Modern studies are limited though there are still many.

Dry Needling 

• Came into existence in 1979, the term is credited to Czech physician Karel Lewit. There is very little research for the efficacy of treatment though many dry needlers use the more extensive research of acupuncture as proof of efficacy.

QUALITY OF CARE

Acupuncture:

• According to acupuncture and classical / traditional Chinese medicine theory, in order to effectively treat a person for pain and illness, the incredibly complex, intricate and interconnecting meridian systems must be understood. To acquire this knowledge requires years of training. The education that acupuncturists receive includes anatomical and physiological understanding as well as channel systems and their relationships. A mastery of the many traditional needling techniques is also required. Treatments are usually 45 - 60 minutes long and painless, though Qi sensation is considered to be positive. The goal is not only short term relief of symptoms but with continued treatments, long term goals include symptom resolution and rebalancing of the whole body.

Dry Needling:

• Chiropractors and physical therapists use dry needling in conjunction with their actual specialities. Dry needling utilizes a Western anatomical perspective. Rather than meridians, dry needling focuses on muscle motor and trigger points - hyperirritable knots in skeletal muscle and fascia. Treatments are often painful and last between 5-30 minutes. The goal is for temporary pain relief and improved range of motion.

TAKE AWAYS

• Empirical Medicine’s acupuncturists, who are doctors, have nearly 4,000 of hours of primary education and many more in continuing education. Acupuncture, originating more than 2500 years ago, encompasses thousands of years of time tested theory and practice. Acupuncturists can and do everything included in the scope of dry needling. Sensations that are experienced during treatments are of Qi / energy stimulation. Results are meant to be long term and sustained well being.

• Chiropractors and physical therapists are required to have a maximum of 154 hours of continuing education to legally ‘Dry Needle’ and in Arizona less than 30 hours of training is required.  Dry needling, coined in 1979, requires an infinitesimal fraction of the knowledge that acupuncture does. Dry needling is known to be painful. Results are meant to be short term and temporary.

CAUTION

• Dry needling is associated with a higher risk of pneumothorax compared to acupuncture, particularly when performed in the thoracic [chest and shoulder] region. A vast majority of all pneumothorax cases are due to dry needling by physical therapists and chiropractors.