Acupuncture vs Dry Needling

Ever wonder what the difference is between the 2 therapies? This subject can be broken down and answered in many different ways. I found this post that I think sums it up perfectly.

Dry Needling versus Acupuncture

A. Dry Needling = insertion of solid

needle for therapeutic purpose

B. Acupuncture = insertion of solid

needle for therapeutic purpose

A. Glasses= 00

B. Spectacles = 00

A. Dry Needles = solid needles with handles

B. Acupuncture Needles = solid needles with handles

A. As a physical therapist, I will help the patient in the wheelchair by making his muscle twitch with my dry needling which will provide pain relief.

Then I will do it again weekly for 10 episodes of care.

B. As a licensed acupuncturist, I will improve the patient in the wheelchair

with my acupuncture which will release pathological fluid entrapping

the nerves in the leg while significantly improving blood perfusion to stop the source of the

pain while improving walking function so the wheelchair is replaced with

mobility, independence, and improved quality of life. Then I will address

sleep, digestion, bowels, and cognition while improving balance,

proprioception, and speech in 10 visits twice weekly.

DN= Pain localized improvement

Acupuncture= whole body improvement

Both are power therapies, different mechanisms of action and effects on the body.