Is Acupuncture the Same as Dry Needling?
When I meet new clients, I always ask if they've had acupuncture before. Very often the answer is, "I've had dry needling with my physio, but I don't know if that's the same thing."
It's such a common question that I wanted to answer it here.
What they have in common
Both acupuncture and dry needling use fine, sterile, single-use needles. The difference lies in the thinking behind how and where those needles are used.
Dry needling
Dry needling is used mainly by physiotherapists and physical therapists to target trigger points: the muscular knots or tight areas in the body. They often look for a small "twitch" response, which shows the knot is releasing. This can help the area relax and ease. Dry needling is usually one tool within a wider physiotherapy or sports-medicine treatment, and often just a few needles are used.
Acupuncture
Acupuncturists use the same kind of needles but take a different approach. Rooted in centuries of Chinese medicine, acupuncture looks at the body as a connected system.
Acupuncturists themselves also work in different ways. Some needle into trigger points, some place needles around the area of pain, and others use different systems altogether, such as the Balance Method (more on that below). I tend to select one or more of these methods based on the information given to me by the client on the day.
Every treatment starts with a full consultation. Together we identify a pattern through the lens of Chinese medicine, which helps us both understand how and why the pain has come about. We also talk about sleep, stress, digestion and energy, not just the sore spot, so it's common to work on more than one thing in the same session.
The Balance Method (Dr Tan method)
The Balance Method, developed by Dr Richard Tan, is a system used by acupuncturists, and one I use a lot in clinic.
It works by mirroring the area of pain onto a different part of the body. In Chinese medicine terms, I then identify which acupuncture channel can bring healthy flow of Qi to the area where it has become stuck. This means the painful area itself doesn't need to be needled at all.
For example, someone with tension in their neck, shoulders and trapezius may be treated with needles in the lower leg and forearm. It can seem a little like magic to clients, but it's based on a clear and consistent theory. Many people notice a change in how the area feels and moves during the session and the relief can continue for some time afterwards.
What does the research say?
If you're new to acupuncture, it can be reassuring to know it's taken seriously in mainstream healthcare. In 2021, NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which advises the health service in the UK) published guidelines on chronic pain. These say that acupuncture can be considered for adults aged 16 and over with chronic primary pain.
Read the NICE chronic pain guidelines (NG193)
Acupuncture or dry needling: which is right for me?
There is no one answer to this question, it's whatever feels right to you. And of course it is fine to have both in tandem, just mention this to your practitioner when you see them. Whatever you choose, look for a qualified, insured practitioner who is a member of a professional body.
Your first visit
I see clients in Greystones, Blackrock and Pembroke Road, Dublin 4. Your first appointment includes a full consultation with plenty of time for questions, and treatment is covered by many Irish health insurance schemes
If you'd like to talk through whether acupuncture could help with your pain, you can book online or contact me at contact@kateduggan.ie