This is a question I commonly get asked in the clinic, so there seems to be a lot of confusion over it! Are Acupuncture and Dry Needling one of the same or a totally different treatment approach? We thought we would clear up any confusion for you!

Acupuncture uses Traditional Chinese Medicine principles to address both systematic internal conditions as well as musculoskeletal conditions. It uses thin flexible needles that are inserted into specific points on the body, either locally or distally, along energetic channels using a variety of techniques and needle stimulation. Acupuncturists use appropriate diagnostic techniques and point selection to resolve obstruction to the flow of qi and blood in the channels, balance and harmonise yin and yang and treat the underlying cause of a condition or disease which then benefits a person’s overall health and wellness.

A qualified Acupuncture practitioner has completed a four-year Bachelor of Health Science degree which includes a minimum of 500 hours of hands on clinical experience plus biomedical anatomy and physiology knowledge. They are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (APHRA), just like your GP, and adhere to strict industry standards, guidelines and code of ethics.

A treatment using Dry needling involves using a thin flexible needle, similar to acupuncture, and inserted into a myofascial trigger point to achieve a localised twitch response which aims to release muscular tension and pain in that area.

The Benefits of dry needling is that if preformed correctly it can quickly and effectively relieve acute muscular spasm by resetting the muscle fibers, reduce pain and improve mobility.

Dry needling can be preformed by your Acupuncturist as part of your overall treatment however can also be performed by Practitioners such as a physiotherapist, osteopath, musculoskeletal therapist or massage therapist.  It is usually an adjunct to their core treatment modality and qualifications are generally obtained in a post graduate short course and the practice is not regulated by any governing body.

So basically apart from using the same kind of needle, Acupuncture and Dry Needling are totally different treatments, are used for very different reasons and require varied qualifications for the practitioner.

It is important when seeking treatment of any modality to check on your therapists qualification and experience in their field, but also to ask questions to make sure that the treatment you are getting is suitable for your needs.