The difference between Dry Needling and Acupuncture
Acupuncture and dry needling, while using the same needle types, are two very different treatments. Traditional Acupuncture is used for the diagnosis and treatment of pathological conditions including visceral and systemic dysfunction, while dry needling is used for the assessment and treatment of myofacial pain syndromes and dysfunction due to myofacial trigger points / tension areas / muscle spasm / increased tonicity.
Traditional Acupuncture works on the understanding that there is an energy flow, the Qi, or Chi, in the body. It is believed by Acupuncture practitioners that if there is a blockage in this energy flow, it can create problems. These problems could range from sinus infections to common flu. The idea behind Acupuncture is to attempt to clear these blockages, allowing for balance in the body.Acupuncture achieves pain relief through the release of endorphins and creating balance in the body’s energy levels. Through the release of serum cortisol acupuncture can also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Trigger Point Dry Needling, deals exclusively with the neuromuscular aspect of a muscle. Trigger Point Dry Needling relieves pain by inserting filament needles directly into trigger points within the muscle. Sometimes it is enough to insert the needle to within half an inch of the Trigger Point to release it. This causes a local twitch response, which signals that the Trigger Point has been released. Trigger Point Dry Needling is a scientifically proven method used to relieve muscle pain, nerve pain and referral pain.Dry needling also acts via the release of endorphins and serum cortisol but also achieves pain relief and biomechanical re-function by de-activating the trigger points at the muscle cell level and by eliminating the nociceptive focus of the muscle. The needles also cause localised haemorrhaging and protein formation.
Acupuncture and dry needling are commonly used in the treatment of soft tissue and joint inflammation and can help reduce same. It works to release naturally occurring endorphins (pain relieving hormones) into the blood stream which allows the modulation of pain and subsequent relaxation of muscle spasm and increased extensibility of soft tissues
