Dry needling is becoming more well known in the world of rehabilitation. Many people have heard specifically of this type of treatment, but are not quite clear on the differences between dry needling and acupuncture.
To be clear, dry needling is a very specific type of acupuncture, used for muscle pain, or myalgia. Traditional acupuncture has long used trigger points to treat pain. At its core, dry needling is a simplified version of acupuncture. The main difference is in the name.
The techniques taught in dry needling courses are more aggressive approach, using deep needling and muscle threading in order to activate the healing response. These techniques are also taught in many orthopedic acupuncture courses; however, other considerations are taken into account when assessing a patient using the traditional system of diagnosis.
While dry needling/ orthopedic acupuncture techniques are highly effective, it is not always the proper treatment. When applied to the wrong individual, it can increase local inflammation and further exacerbate pain.
The term “dry needling” was developed recently in 1979 by Karl Lewit who found in his research that trigger point injections were effective due to the mechanical stimulation and not the medication that was being injected. Since then, acupuncture needles have been used to treat muscle pain and is referred to as “dry needling” in non-acupuncture professions.
Many acupuncturists (but not all) also have training in the dry needling style of acupuncture; however, they have also been trained to assess the patient using a complex system of evaluation as well. In the state of California, the minimum requirement is 3000 hours of theoretical and clinical hours before being able to treat the patients without supervision.
Most states have stringent requirements for acupuncture licenses. Under “dry needling,” practitioners who are unlicensed in acupuncture can use the same filament needles used in acupuncture clinics. Three day courses in “dry needling” are marketed and taught to non-acupuncture professionals. Many people are shocked to discover that dry needling is illegal in many states including California due to the low level of training involved.
This issue has sparked a hot debate between the acupuncture and physical therapy professions. However, the American Medical Association (AMA) has released a statement that dry needling is indistinguishable from acupuncture and should only be practiced by professionals who have similar education, certifications and continuing education requirements as acupuncturists.
Dry needling techniques in acupuncture can be a very effective treatment for muscle pain. If you’re generally healthy and you have muscle tightness and spasms, it can be of great benefit. However, it is best to see a properly trained acupuncturist who understands the importance of treating you as an individual and evaluating your health status before choosing this type of treatment to minimize risk of side effects and increased pain.