The Difference Between Acupuncture & Dry Needling
Trigger point dry needling and acupuncture are two common pain management techniques that use a needle. It can be difficult to determine what the difference between these techniques are. Each method has slightly varying benefits. The purpose of this blog is to clarify any questions you may have about trigger point dry needling, acupuncture, the differences between the two, and if acupuncture or dry needling could be a good fit for you.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method with the intent to affect energy flow through the body. In this method, many needles are placed all along different pathways (meridians) to alter the energy flow. These pathways are based off traditional Chinese medicine philosophy, rather than an evaluation. The needles are left in the body for longer periods of time - sometimes up to 30 minutes.
Acupuncture is rooted in the belief of chi - the release of healing energy. Acupuncture is known to provide relief for aches, pains, migraines, headaches, and nausea. This technique can also be used for stress relief.
What Is Trigger Point Dry Needling?
The term “dry” refers to no medication. A “dry needle” is a thin filiform needle that does not have any added medication. Trigger point dry needling is a solution for treating muscular pain and tension. Here's how it works:
The area of pain is examined to determine myofascial muscular triggers (or what you consider to be a "knot"). A thin filiform needle is inserted through the skin and into the heart of the body of muscle.
The physiotherapist will slightly move the needle within the muscle to produce a twitch response. This twitch response typically consists of the muscle "jumping" as the needle has hit the myofascial trigger (knot). When a twitch response occurs, there is signal that is sent through the spinal cord, to the brain, and back down to the muscle. The signal returning to the muscle is what we consider the twitch response. This allows the muscle to return to its normal length and state.
What To Expect With Dry Needling
Dry needling can be intimidating, especially if you aren’t a needle person. When you know the exact process and what to expect, it becomes more manageable. When you receive trigger point dry needling treatment at Motus Rx Physical Therapy, we make sure to follow a specific set-up, treatment, and follow-up process. This is what a dry needling appointment could entail:
The skin is prepped with alcohol to sterilize the point of insertion.
Each dry needle is individually packaged and sterilized before puncturing through the skin.
The targeted area is identified and examined through a thorough evaluation.
The dry needle is inserted through the skin and into the muscular trigger point.
The dry needle is slightly manipulated to elicit a twitch response for about 10-30 seconds.
The area that was dry needled may feel groggy immediately following. It is also common to feel sleepy. The next day, the area will be sore. Within 24-48 hours the soreness will subside.
Our team will be sure to give you a text or call to see how you are feeling the next day.
The Benefits Of Dry Needling
The benefits of dry needling is what continues to draw many crossfit athletes, people who experience uncomfortable muscle tension, or people who are in pain. The benefits from dry needling are almost immediate as this technique is a direct stimulus to the targeted muscle. Dry needling can:
Provide immediate pain relief
Improve range of motion
Increase recovery speed
When the twitch response is elicited, the knotted muscle returns to its normal length and state. That lengthened state allows for improved range of motion and facilitates recovery. As the muscle relaxes and returns to its normal state, blood flow to the area improves. This increased blood flow clears the toxins that were in the knotted muscle and replaces them with oxygen. This is what causes the immediate pain relief, speeds up the recovery process, and improves range of motion.
Dry Needling as a Portion of an Overarching Plan
Before dry needling, an orthopedic based test is and movement screen is completed. After examining the results of this evaluation, movement quality relative to muscular function is analyzed. If the quality of movement in certain areas of the body isn’t sound due to a muscular dysfunction or weakness, dry needling becomes a pain management technique.
Dry needling in terms of pain management is only a portion of a treatment plan. Dry needling is used to reset and reboot the muscle to improve range of motion and restore strength.
Upon completing dry needling, strength and mobility exercises are provided to build a solid foundation of the targeted muscles. Most myofascial trigger points are caused by weakness in a surrounding muscle. The myofascial trigger point is a result of that muscle attempting to take on more work that it can handle. Adding a strength and mobility program following treatment helps to combat overworked muscles and prevents future flare ups.
Test, Intervention, Retest Method For Dry Needling Treatment
How Motus Rx Physical Therapy uses dry needling in terms of pain management falls within the test, evaluation, intervention, and then retest process. Dry needling is used in terms of pain management in a subset of our evaluation based on our knowledge of movement, orthopedics, and performance. We then are retesting to ensure success.
This training allows us to understand how to analyze movement, strength, and range of motion. We will test and see where the dysfunction is and if dry needling is indicated due to a dysfunctional muscle. If the muscle is classified as dysfunctional, then dry needling would be appropriate. After completion, we would retest and to ensure the range of motion has been improved and pain has been resolved.
Key Differences Between Acupuncture and Dry Needling
Acupuncture and dry needling are both effective pain management techniques. Dry needling in terms of pain management, is hands on and short. Acupuncture in terms of pain management, is hands on, for a while, and with many needles. These needles follow pathways (or meridians) and aim to restore energy flow.
In any treatment - dry needling, cupping, spinal manipulation, chiropractic adjustments, exercise, therapeutic exercise - there should be a pre-test and a post-test. This is a way to measure progress and ensure the treatment is producing results that are in alignment with clients overall goals.
Where do I start?
Learn more about the dry needling services that Dr. Eric Wallace offers
Learn what to expect as a patient of Motus Rx
Click here to inquire about cost and availability
Click here to schedule an appointment
Click HERE to secure your Free Report: 7 Secrets to Relieve Low Back Pain
Click HERE to receive 5 Drills Every Runner Should Master
*NOTE - THIS HAS BEEN UPDATED ON 2/10/2022 TO MAINTAIN RELEVANCY.