Acupuncture vs. Dry Needling- What’s the difference?
If you've been dealing with pain or muscle tightness, chances are you’ve heard of both acupuncture and dry needling as treatment options. They both involve inserting thin needles into the body — but are they the same thing?
Not quite.
While they may look similar on the surface, acupuncture and dry needling come from different traditions, follow different training standards, and often approach healing in very different ways. As a licensed acupuncturist, I get asked about this a lot — so let’s clear it up.
The Basics: Same Tool, Different Philosophy
Both acupuncture and dry needling use filiform needles, which are very thin, flexible, and solid (not hollow like a syringe). But that's where the similarities mostly end.
Acupuncture
Rooted in Chinese medicine, a complete medical system that’s been practiced for over 2,000 years.
Focuses on treating the whole person — not just the symptoms, but the underlying patterns that cause them.
Often include both local points (where the pain or injury is) and distal points (on other parts of the body that help regulate circulation, nerve pathways, and muscle tension). This allows us to treat the area directly and activate your body’s broader healing systems.
Can address pain, stress, digestion, hormones, sleep, emotional health, and more.
Dry Needling
A relatively modern technique based in Western musculoskeletal theory.
Focuses on trigger points — tight, knotted bands in muscle tissue that can cause pain or restrict movement.
Usually used by physical therapists or chiropractors with a shorter training in needling techniques (often 20–100 hours).
Primarily used for muscle release and pain relief, often in an orthopedic or sports medicine setting.
Training and Scope of Practice
This is one of the biggest differences.
Licensed acupuncturists typically complete 3–4 years of graduate-level training, with over 3,000 hours of education that includes anatomy, physiology, pathology, Chinese medicine theory, herbal medicine, and extensive supervised clinical experience. We are nationally board-certified and licensed by the state.
Dry needling practitioners (like PTs or chiropractors) usually take weekend courses totaling anywhere from 20–100 hours. Their scope is limited to treating musculoskeletal conditions, not the full range of issues addressed in Chinese medicine.
Which One Is Better?
It depends on what you’re looking for.
If you want quick relief for muscle tightness or trigger point pain, dry needling might be helpful — especially if you're already working with a physical therapist.
If you're looking for a more holistic approach that not only relieves pain but also supports your overall well-being — including stress, sleep, digestion, hormones, energy, and emotional health — acupuncture may be the better fit.
Personally, I use acupuncture (and sometimes motor point or trigger point techniques when appropriate) within the broader framework of Chinese medicine. That means your treatment is not only targeted but also customized to your unique constitution and healing goals.
Can They Work Together?
Absolutely. Acupuncture and dry needling can both play a role in pain relief and injury recovery — especially when used thoughtfully and by skilled practitioners. Just make sure you know who’s doing the needling and what their training looks like.
Curious About Acupuncture?
If you’re wondering whether acupuncture might help with your pain, injury recovery, or overall health, I’d love to talk. Every treatment is tailored to your body and your goals — so you can feel better, move more freely, and get back to doing what you love.
