Staying on Point! Whats the difference between Acupuncture and Dry Needling?
STAYING ON POINT: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACUPUNCTURE AND DRY NEEDLING?
At Brownstone Health we offer many alternative treatment options for our patients, including Acupuncture and Dry Needling. We have summarized each of these techniques below to keep you well informed as a health care consumer!
Dry Needling, as defined by Kinetacore “… is a therapeutic treatment procedure that involves multiple insertions of a needle into the muscle in the area of the body which produces pain and typically contains a ‘trigger point’. “
Can be used for:
• Deactivating trigger points
• Decreasing muscle tension
• Pain relief
Acupuncture, as defined by the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute “…stimulates the balance and flow of Qi (energy) throughout the body, which in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is essential to our health. It is believed that pain occurs when the balance or flow of Qi is obstructed or deficient in an area of the body.”
Can be used for:
• Decreasing muscle tension
• Pain relief
• Improving mood and energy
Both treatments involve a physical assessment to determine which factors are involved in the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Your therapist will help determine which treatment is the best option for your care. Both acupuncture and dry needling use the same types of needles – they are very thin, sterile, and disposable. The needles may be left in for up to 15-20 minutes, depending on the patient and the injury being treated. Electrical stimulation of the needles may also be used.
You may feel sore following either one of these treatments, along with feelings of deep aching or heaviness. There is a small risk that you may have a small amount of bleeding or bruising at the site of needle insertion. Other less common treatment effects include fatigue, sweating, nausea, dizziness or fainting.
Prior to having an acupuncture or dry needling treatment, it is best if you have had something to eat in the last 30-60 minutes as well as being well hydrated and well rested. This helps to prevent side effects such as nausea, dizziness and fainting.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding either of these treatments, please be sure to talk to your practitioner prior to treatment! A reminder that not all insurance plans recognize different Acupuncture Training designations. Be sure to check with your plan to ensure that you will receive compensation.
Ainslie Myrah, MPT, CAFCI
Resources:
Overview and definition of dry needling:
http://www.kinetacore.com/physical-therapy/Overview-of-Dry-Needling-Functional-Dry-Needling-Courses/page150.html
What is AP:
https://www.acupuncturecanada.org/acupuncture-101/what-is-acupuncture/