04/21/2026
One of the most common questions I get is: what’s the difference between acupuncture and dry needling?
Education matters. Acupuncturists complete several years of formal training and must pass national board exams through the NCCAOM. They also maintain licensure with ongoing continuing education requirements.
Dry needling is a technique typically taught in short continuing education courses, often within physical therapy programs.
Regulations vary by state, and dry needling is not permitted everywhere.
For safe, effective care, be sure to see a board-certified licensed acupuncturist.
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Except if one gets a Doctorate; then it’s 9 years. Same as an MD.
On top of those years are specialty medicine studies. These are post Doctorate, out of pocket, full weekend courses up to year long programs of study to complete higher levels of mastery in Neurology, Dermatology, Fertility, Sports Medicine, and more.
This is not “alternative” medicine.
It is the first medicine.
It is very much mainstream medicine.
A non-toxic, general practice medicine, preventative medicine, maintenance medicine, acute and chronic condition care medicine, and it’s for all ages.
Treating the body as the whole system it is. (Because we are not separate pieces)
You don’t have to believe in it (or understand it) for it to work. It works because it is the medicine every cell in our body needs. Cell Biology 101.
