Dry Needling and Acupuncture: Two Names, One Science
We’re often asked, “What’s the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?”
If you’ve ever had dry needling with a physical therapist, you may already know how effective it can be for relieving muscle pain and restoring movement.
What many people don’t realize is that dry needling is not really a separate therapy, but rather a specific technique within the acupuncture toolkit that has been adopted by other health professions, including athletic trainers, chiropractors, and physical therapists.
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling uses the same fine, sterile needles as acupuncture to target tight bands of muscle (often called trigger points). It is frequently presented as a modern, “scientific” technique, distinct from acupuncture. In reality, these methods overlap almost entirely, and this technique has been part of acupuncture practice for centuries.
Dry Needling: One Technique Within Acupuncture
Dry needling is best understood as one needle technique among many within the broader practice of acupuncture. It involves inserting fine needles into taut muscle fibers (often called trigger points) to release tension, improve blood flow, and reduce pain.
As acupuncturists, we are trained in a wide range of needling methods, including motor point needling, electroacupuncture, superficial needling, facial needling, and traditional point prescriptions that can be adapted to each person’s condition and goals.
Physiologically, dry needling and other acupuncture techniques share the same mechanisms. Research shows both can:
Relax contracted muscle fibers
Increase local circulation and tissue oxygenation
Influence the nervous system to quiet pain signaling
Stimulate the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals like endorphins
Acupuncture is sometimes explained through the concept of qi, but that framework isn’t required to understand its effects. Modern anatomy, physiology, and neuroscience clearly describe how different needling styles, dry needling included, influence the body’s physiology and pain patterns.
Why Training and Expertise Matter
When it comes to needling therapies, the biggest factor isn’t just the technique; it’s the training and experience behind it.
Licensed acupuncturists complete thousands of hours of graduate-level education focused specifically on needling techniques, anatomy, physiology, and clinical safety. This depth of training makes it possible to:
Select the most effective needle approach for each condition (dry needling is just one of many options)
Determine appropriate treatment frequency and dosing for lasting results
Recognize and mitigate risks to ensure patient safety
Because our practice is dedicated exclusively to acupuncture and needling-based therapies, we bring both precision and breadth, tailoring treatments to each individual rather than relying on a single method.
How We Incorporate Dry Needling Into Treatment
Dry needling is one tool we use alongside traditional acupuncture, motor point acupuncture, and electroacupuncture. By combining these approaches, we not only release tight muscles but also address the bigger picture: circulation, inflammation, and nervous system balance. This comprehensive approach supports faster recovery and lasting results.
Who Can Benefit?
Runners, cyclists, and athletes with overuse injuries
People with chronic neck, back, or shoulder pain
Post-surgical recovery (stiffness, scar tissue, or weakness)
Anyone who has found dry needling helpful and wants deeper, more comprehensive care
The Bottom Line
When performed by a licensed acupuncturist, Dry Needling is part of a comprehensive treatment plan that not only relieves tight muscles but also improves circulation, reduces inflammation, and supports nervous system balance.
If you’ve experienced relief from dry needling, expanding that approach through acupuncture may provide even more lasting and comprehensive results.