Acupuncture and dry needling are two forms of therapy that involve the use of thin needles placed into specific points on the body. While they share some similarities, there are also some key differences between the two.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that has been used for thousands of years to alleviate pain and promote healing. It involves the insertion of small, sterile needles into specific points on the body, known as acupuncture points. These points are believed to be connected by pathways, or meridians, which regulate the flow of energy, or qi, throughout the body. By stimulating these points, acupuncture is thought to help restore the balance of qi and promote healing.
Dry needling, on the other hand, is a more modern technique that is typically used by physical therapists and other healthcare professionals. It involves the insertion of needles into trigger points, or knots of muscle that are often associated with pain or dysfunction. The goal of dry needling is to release tension in the muscles and promote healing by stimulating the body's natural healing processes.
One key difference between the two techniques is their underlying philosophy. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine, which views the body as a whole and seeks to restore balance to the entire system. Dry needling, on the other hand, is based on Western medicine and focuses specifically on the musculoskeletal system.
Another difference is the training required to perform each technique. Acupuncture is a highly specialized field that requires 4 years of education and board certification. After TCM school, Dr. Bezjak Drake dove deep into hundreds of hours of continuing education to further learn dry needling techniques and diagnostics.
Despite their differences, both acupuncture and dry needling have been shown to be effective for a variety of conditions, including back pain, headaches, and musculoskeletal injuries. If you are interested in these therapies, schedule a free 15 minute consult with Dr Bezjak Drake to discuss what techniques may be right for you.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that has been used for thousands of years to alleviate pain and promote healing. It involves the insertion of small, sterile needles into specific points on the body, known as acupuncture points. These points are believed to be connected by pathways, or meridians, which regulate the flow of energy, or qi, throughout the body. By stimulating these points, acupuncture is thought to help restore the balance of qi and promote healing.
Dry needling, on the other hand, is a more modern technique that is typically used by physical therapists and other healthcare professionals. It involves the insertion of needles into trigger points, or knots of muscle that are often associated with pain or dysfunction. The goal of dry needling is to release tension in the muscles and promote healing by stimulating the body's natural healing processes.
One key difference between the two techniques is their underlying philosophy. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine, which views the body as a whole and seeks to restore balance to the entire system. Dry needling, on the other hand, is based on Western medicine and focuses specifically on the musculoskeletal system.
Another difference is the training required to perform each technique. Acupuncture is a highly specialized field that requires 4 years of education and board certification. After TCM school, Dr. Bezjak Drake dove deep into hundreds of hours of continuing education to further learn dry needling techniques and diagnostics.
Despite their differences, both acupuncture and dry needling have been shown to be effective for a variety of conditions, including back pain, headaches, and musculoskeletal injuries. If you are interested in these therapies, schedule a free 15 minute consult with Dr Bezjak Drake to discuss what techniques may be right for you.
Common Conditions We Treat
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Low back pain, neck and shoulder pain, hip pain, calf pain
- Persisting pain that worsens over time
- Aching pain in the muscle
- Deep muscular pain that is not improved by massage or chiropractic
- Tender knots or adhesive spots in the muscle
- Difficulty sleeping due to muscular pain.