Is Dry Needling (DN) different to Acupuncture?
IT SURE IS....
A little information about Acupuncture "Needles" - which I refer to as "Pins".
This short post hopefully provides some clarity regarding the styles of therapy available, using Acupuncture Pins.
I'm a qualified and registered Acupuncturist, graduating in 2004. At the same time as my BHScTCM, I was partaking in an apprenticeship style training with a Western Doctor whom initially treated me and sparked the enrolment in TCM*.
*Traditonal Chinese Medicine.
My experience with Dr Conneely was of the Orthopaedic/ Osteopathic Wet Needling (with REAL needles) injecting Trigger Points to resolve pain. YES it hurt! But, after 2.5 years of disc related sciatic pain... those needles were 'nothing'.
Said Dr changed his practice, from Wet needling to DN (yay) I was "in" such a different technique.
There has been a steady rise in both the Massage Therapy community and Physiotherapy realm offering Dry Needling in the past 10years. This is stirring some confusion for patients/ recipients and many of whom come to me believing they've had Dry Needling (DN) until I use my various technqiues.
Inevitably they say "I've not had 'acupuncture' like that and ask what is the difference. As you may guess, I provide both versions of treatment (and more: Motor Points & 5 Element Acupuncture... that is another post).
Being qualified and experienced on both sides of the fence, I feel I can contribute some information to help reduce confusion (and competition amongst practitioners).
First similarities...
1. Each type of therapy uses single use/ sterile "needles".
2. There is an interview of the conditions, touch/ palpation of the client and then treatment begins.
Thats it!
Graduation 2004 UTS Sydney, Australia
Diferences....
Training
1. Acupuncturists train for 4+ years and gain knowledge about the physiology of the body and holistic causes and "cures" for a variety of conditions. I use the word "cure" loosely, as there are strict guidelines around how one talks about their treatments and results. The entire 4 years is about needling and ingestives/herbs.
1b. If an Osteopath is offering DN (especially if they graduated 10+ years ago) they more than likely learnt the Wet needling style and were also trained in DN. Their training is also 4+ years, though I cannot say how much time is spent on needling.
1c. If a Massage Therapist/ Physiotherapist is offering DN, they will have done additional training after graduating their first modality (18months for Remedia Massage to 4+ years for Physios) This additional post course training would be from 3days to 12days.
Purpose/Intention
2. Acupuncturists are looking to treat and heal the whole person. Lifestyle is assessed (diet; sleep; pregnancy history; work conditions; illness history; exercise; the seasons; bathroom habits; stress levels and more); presenting symptoms are assessed and treatment is undertaken with usually a series of sessions (with or without herbs).
2. If an Osteopath is treating, they are looking at the physical structure and functional movement of the person and treat according to pain patterns. DN is often (not always) used as part of the treatment. They look at the whole body, not just the pain site. They provide home care to help reduce the imbalances and pain from returning.
2c. If a Massage Therapist/ Physio is treating, they too are looking at structure and function and provide treatment; home care to reducing the pain patterns from returning. DN may be used/ offered amongst many manual techniques. Often the injury site is the only focus (again- not always).
"Needle" technique
3. Acupuncturists utilise a variety of needle sizes and lengths. Traditionally most needles are only 1-2cm long. AhShi (ahh- shee) points may use 4-5cm pins. Acupuncturist stimulate or sedate the point where the needle goes to stir the energy or clear it (amongst other manual techniques including massage).
Traditionally needles are left for 20mins, and often the treatment is symmetrical between left and right sides.
3b. Osteopaths whom are doing a functional treatment tend to use longer needles and often (not always) needle to the depth of the bone. 5-6-7.5cm needles are used to reach the sharpies fibres/ fascia connected to the bone.
3c. It seems (from feedback I get from new patients) many* Massage Therapist and Physios are being trained in these short courses with a blend of the two techniques above. Traditional needle length (shorter 2-3cm) and orthopaedic (Trigger point) application.
*coveat here- I recently completed a DN course (both as part of ongoing education and equal part curiosity about the training). This course was both thorough and detailed. The level of anatomy was top class and the needle depth orthopaedic in nature.
This post is clear confusion for the end user.
This is in no way a judgment of the different modalities out there.
I'm across most of these above and I utilise the differing styles depending on the person in front of me and their needs.
For you the end user?
Ask questions. Ask about your therapists training.
Ask about the style/s they use. Then decide for yourself is it sufficient for your needs.
If you have questions for me, start the conversation here.
If you wish to jump into criticism and a fight style discussion - they will be deleted. This is information for end users, please respect all whom visit this page. XoDe
In pain - book an “Anatomy-mology” session. Need to De-stress… book a ZenYin experience! xo