Needling Vs. Acupuncture | Understanding The Key Differences

Dry needling and acupuncture are the most commonly confused practices that serve a similar goal but are vastly different from each other. Involving the use of needles for the purpose of promoting healing, these systems of treatment find their origin in completely different places. Many people confuse these two treatments, and when visiting a manual therapy centre or speciality centre, ask for the incorrect therapy. However, the specific purpose of both these treatments is different, and in this article, we will help you understand exactly what the difference is.

Where Did They Originate?

One of the key differences between acupuncture and dry needling comes from the fact that they originate from very different places.

Acupuncture finds its origin in thousands of years old traditional Chinese medicine. Recorded to have originated over three thousand years ago, this system involves the use of thin needles pricked strategically in acupuncture points on the body with the aim of bringing back the body’s natural balance in harmony. The practice is rooted in the concept of Qi which refers to the innate energy inside the body, which flows through the nerves and muscles, allowing the body to function properly. When the Qi gets disrupted due to an imbalance or even blockages, a person may start feeling pain in the body or suffer illnesses. Acupuncture aims to promote healing and overall recovery of the body by activating target points in the body.

Dry Needling on the other hand is a fairly recent practice which was developed in the Western world sometime in the 20th century. This modern medical therapy targets specific points in the body, known as the myofascial points, which are more commonly known as knots. These knots in the muscles lead to severe pain in different body parts and to alleviate this pain, thin needles are inserted in strategic points.

As opposed to acupuncture, this treatment is rooted in scientific principles and concepts of neurology and anatomy. These principles guide the practitioners about the points where the needles must be inserted as opposed to acupuncture, where the insertion points are determined based on body meridians.

How Are They Practiced?

The practice of acupuncture and dry needling is quite varied, most prominently in how and where the needles are inserted.

In the case of acupuncture, the process involves:

Insertion of needles in target points which are known as ‘meridian points’. These points are spread across the body and they may or may not be around the area where a person feels pain or illness.
The needles, once inserted are left in place for a duration between 15 to 30 minutes. During this time, the body relaxes and recovery is promoted.
The needles may be moved around periodically (if there is a need), in order to trigger electric pulses with the purpose of promoting healing.

In the case of dry needling, the process involves:

Insertion of thin needles at target points where the patient is experiencing pain. By doing so, the action triggers a ‘twitch’ which pushes the tightened muscles and knots to relax, thereby alleviating pain.
The needles once inserted are left in for a shorter time period as compared to acupuncture. Most commonly, the needles are left for a duration between 5 minutes to 10 minutes. After this, the needles are pulled out and the individual may feel instant relief.

Side Effects Of Each

Just as both these therapies have their advantages for alleviating pain and bringing the body’s harmony back, they also have certain side effects which must be known to everyone before opting for either of these therapies. However, the overall side effects are minimal and the therapies are generally safe.

Although Acupuncture is the safest therapy out there, it should only be performed by a trained professional. Some of the side effects of this treatment to note include:

The occurrence of tiny bruises in spots where the needles are inserted. Along with bruises, you may also feel soreness in these spots for some time. However, it naturally goes away after a while.
The person may also feel slightly dizzy after the therapy is done. However, this is a rare side effect and not everyone experiences this.

Dry needling brings slightly more impactful side effects as compared to acupuncture. However, this is still a safe procedure. Some side effects you may experience can include:

For a temporary period, the individual can experience soreness of muscles which will recover by itself. The soreness of the muscles mellows down on its own, and with it, you will also see the positive impact of the therapy.
At the site of needle insertion, the individual can develop bruises and even experience some bleeding (in rare cases). However, these are also very minor issues and heal in a few hours on their own without the need for external intervention.

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Conclusion

Acupuncture and dry needling are very commonly mixed and understood as the same therapy because both of them involve the use of thin needles pricked in the body to help recovery. However, both these methods are extremely different right from the point of origin to the way they are executed, the underlying principles, and their side effects. Thus, getting the right treatment, from the right professional is essential to achieving improved health, and overcoming pain and distress.