08/28/2025
Both are effective in pain relief!
One of the questions we often hear is: “What’s the difference between acupuncture and dry needling?”
Here’s a simple breakdown:
🌿 Acupuncture
Usually rooted in Chinese medicine;
- Works with the flow of energy (Qi) through meridians in the body.
- Aims to restore balance and support overall physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing
- Can target deep health issues caused by internal imbalances or emotional disturbances (and others)
💪 Musculoskeletal Acupuncture (often called Dry Needling) which is studied as part of the main types of Acupuncture;
- A recent approach, frequently practised by physiotherapists and sports therapists.
- Focuses on releasing tight muscles and trigger points.
- Used mainly for pain relief and improving mobility.
Both use fine needles, but their aims and philosophies are quite different: one takes a holistic, whole-body approach, the other is more targeted for musculoskeletal issues.
➡️ Knowing the difference helps you choose the approach that best suits your needs, always check what your Acupuncturist is trained in before booking!
