ACUPUNCTURE VS DRY NEEDLING: What you Need To KNOW

by Dr. Bianca Beldini, DPT, MSOM

Do you know the difference between acupuncture and dry needling? There has been a debate raging over the past few years between the medical community and Acupuncturists. We (Acupuncturists) use the needle as our primary mode of treatment. This one unique Acupuncture modality is infringed upon by MD’s, PT’s, Chiropractors, DO’s and Podiatrists. It’s time you become informed and understand the similarities and differences. An informed patient is an educated patient. An educated patient can make the right choices for their own health and wellness.

Dry Needling Definition

The term “Dry Needling” is an ACUPUNCTURE TECHNIQUE. It is NOT a separate modality as PTs/MDs would like you to believe. It is a needling strategy that elicits a “twitch response” from the myofascial layer. This is an efficient technique that an Acupuncturist uses when treating any muscular dysfunction. This technique was first called the “Yellow Emperors Inner Classic.” It dates back 2000 years to a Chinese medical text when “lifting, thrusting, and pistoning” of the needle is the exact strategy used. In other words, it defines Acupuncture.

Education & Practical Experience

An Acupuncturist's education and practical experience includes upwards of 3,000 hours. This experience is BEFORE they ever touch a patient. A PT needs to only complete a 24 hours weekend certification in needling.

The Physical Therapy community would like you to believe that their education in anatomy and embryology validates their inadequate weekend course, and is enough to become a "certified dry needler”. Would you consider taking prescription advice from someone that took a 24 hour Pharmaceutical class? Or would you agree to an adjustment from a practitioner that took a weekend manipulation course?

It is ILLEGAL in the state of NY for a Physical Therapist to be needling. It is legally NOT within their scope of practice. Under no circumstances should they be piercing the skin with a needle.

Insurance Coverage

Some insurance companies get around Acupuncture coverage by restricting that only an MD offers it. (MD’s have very limited education in Acupuncture/Dry Needling). These insurance restrictions go against state mandates and the Affordable Care Act. The only way to make this restriction change and to have your insurance cover Acupuncture is to have you as the consumer push back
against the insurance company. You have a voice!

National Board Exams

Only Acupuncturists sit for a clean needle technique and national board exam which tests proficiency of knowing tissue depths, insertion angles and needling care. Non-Acupuncture practitioners do not sit for a test. They do not take any proficiency state or nationally recognized exams.

Now that you know the difference between Acupuncture vs dry needling

Acupuncture, Dry Needling and Trigger Point Needling are synonymous ONLY when performed by a certified Acupuncture practitioner.

Leave the needling to those who do it best!

All practitioners at Sundala SPECIALIZE in treating most musculoskeletal pain patients with a combination of Acupuncture and Dry Needling, (The Sundala Method™).