What is Acupuncture

…is a system of medical treatment and ideology that is based on the principle of applying small needles or pressure to specific points in the body. The origins of this treatment system are grounded in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with underlying philosophical principles associated with Confucianism and Taoism. Under this ideology, health stems from the alignment of qi which means “vital energy” and encompasses the yin/yang dichotomy that flows through all of the physical worlds-NCBI

What is Dry Needling

…is the use of a solid filament needle for the treatment of pain and dysfunction of various body tissues. DN is commonly employed to treat pain and dysfunction associated with myofascial Trigger Points - Jan Dommerholt

Trigger Point is a hyperirritable spot in a taut muscle of a skeletal muscle that is painful with pressure, stretch or contraction of the tissue- Jan Dommerholt

What is the difference between Acupuncture & Dry Needling?

…According to the ICD10 definition, Acupuncture is defined by the retention of needles. This is can be done without stimulating, pistoning or lancing the tissue. The filament needle can be inserted into connective tissue, muscle or adipose tissue to elicit ‘da qi’.

…Whereas in Dry Needling, the filament needle is inserted into a Trigger Point, which is lcoated in the muscle bundle. A ‘knot’ can be considered a Trigger Point