You’ve probably heard about Dry Needling and Acupuncture, but maybe you’ve never really understood the difference between the two. Today I’ll break it down for you in a simple way.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that has been around for thousands of years. It uses very fine needles that are inserted into specific points on the body, known as acupoints. These points are believed to be connected by pathways called meridians, which guide the flow of energy (often called chi). By stimulating these points, acupuncture aims to restore balance, support the body’s natural healing processes, and improve overall well-being. Many people around the world use acupuncture for pain, stress, and a wide range of health concerns.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry Needling also uses very fine needles, but the technique and purpose are a bit different. It’s a modern, Western-based approach that focuses on the muscular system. Needles are inserted directly into myofascial trigger points to release tension, improve blood flow, calm overactive nerves, and encourage natural healing in the body. This can help with muscle pain, tightness, and movement restrictions.
The Key Differences
While both therapies use similar tools, they come from different backgrounds and philosophies:
- Principles: Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles of energy flow, while Dry Needling is grounded in modern anatomy and neurophysiology.
- Focus: Acupuncture works on energy meridians to support overall balance, whereas Dry Needling targets specific muscular trigger points.
- Style: Acupuncture needles are often left in place for longer periods, while Dry Needling needles are usually in for shorter times.
Both Dry Needling and Acupuncture can be valuable tools, they just work in different ways. At Spring Strength Therapy, I offer Dry Needling as part of a treatment plan to reduce pain, ease muscle tension, and support better movement.
If you’re on the Sunshine Coast and looking for dry needling, book a session today and experience how it can help relieve pain and restore function.
