If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked the following question, I’d be a retired millionaire, lying on a desert island somewhere exotic, being brought cocktails whilst being treated to a foot massage 💰🏝️🍹…but I digress!

So, what is this commonest question, I hear you ask? It is “What is the difference between Acupuncture and Dry Needling?”, and to be honest, it’s a great question! From a patient’s perspective, the same type of thin, stainless steel needles are used, thus both treatment modalities can appear almost identical. So, as a qualified practitioner in both methods, I’ll try and demystify these essentially quite different techniques.

First, lets start with Dry Needling:

Developed in the 1940’s but rose in popularity in the 1980’s, so a fairly new modality
Based on a Western medical paradigm
Targets ‘trigger points’ or tight bands of muscle, which may be causing pain
Limited to muscular pain or discomfort
May elicit a ‘twitch response’, which prompts relaxation in the affected muscle group
Needles commonly retained for a few minutes
Provides symptomatic relief only
Qualifications can be attained in 24 – 72 hours, via short courses
Performed by Remedial Massage Therapists, Myotherapists, Physiotherapists & Osteopaths
No formal registration requirements currently in place

In comparison, Acupuncture:

Is an integral part of Chinese Medicine treatment since 100BCE (yep, 1000’s of years!)
Based on Eastern medical paradigm
Needles are placed strategically along selected acupuncture channels
Works on redressing imbalances within the body, to promote self-healing
Targets the root cause of ‘dis-ease’
Used to treat a wide range of conditions
Needles can be retained from 10-40 minutes, allowing time for an ‘acu-nap’
Only qualified Doctors of Chinese Medicine may perform acupuncture
Qualifications take 4+ years to attain
AHPRA registration is required to perform acupuncture

So, as you can see, both treatments have their value, it just depends on your requirements as a patient. Whether you’re looking for relief from a muscular injury or for more of a systemic condition, needles might just be your answer.

If I’ve piqued your interest in either or both of these modalities, get in touch and give them a try!

Yours in good health,

Nikki

To experience these needling techniques in person, book an appointment here.

Acupuncture vs Dry Needling - aren’t they the same?

Ginger tea anyone?