Acupuncture versus dry needling. Many of our patients ask what’s the difference between them. They typically say that their orthopedic doctor recommended they get dry needling to resolve pain in their body. Is it the same as acupuncture?
The answer is, no, it is not the same. Physical therapists lack proper training to treat patients with needles. Acupuncturists have four years of graduate training to learn all aspects of needle insertion, totaling 3500 hours of advanced training. On the other hand, physical therapists are allowed to perform dry needling after taking just 27 hours of training.
Lack Of Proper Training
Imagine if acupuncturists started offering to fill cavities as an add-on service at our clinic. We would take 27 hours of continuing education classes on drilling teeth and filling cavities. On the other hand, Dentists have approximately 3500 hours of training in dental school for performing this service. Who would you rather have fix your teeth?
The Western medical community is happy to allow physical therapists to perform needling on patients. Why send their patient to an acupuncturist when someone on their staff (a PT) can bill for the service. But it is not fair to patients.
Dry Needling Is Too Limited
Dry needling encompasses about 10 percent of what an acupuncturist can do in any given treatment. The physical therapist is limited to releasing motor points. It’s a painful technique that gets the muscle to “jump.” Acupuncturists will use this technique when it is required. But acupuncturists have a vast storehouse of other methods to apply, based on the patient’s presentation.
A patient in pain will get much better, and significantly safer treatment, experience, and outcome by seeing a board-certified acupuncturist. It is surprising that dry needling is even allowed, given the lack of training and safety concerns. But of course, it is permitted because a powerful lobby and economic interests typically prevail in today’s healthcare system.
Litigation
The North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board sued the North Carolina Physical Therapy Board in court over dry needling, alleging a breach of the scope of practice. Our lone, underpaid attorney went up against a team of highly paid attorneys representing Orthopedic physicians. We explained the discrepancy between training, safety issues, and the poor outcomes of dry needling. 3500 hours of training versus 27 hours of training, to insert needles into people’s bodies.
You would think the issue was a no brainer. Not so. We lost the case. Financial interests prevailed over the safety and well being of patients.
Be Informed
If you, or someone you know, seek acupuncture for pain relief, be wary of dry needling. Your doctor or physical therapists may promote it. Look into it. Ask about their training and experience. Remember that acupuncture does dry needling safely, in addition to much, much more. Don’t limit your therapy. Get the treatment you need.
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Acupuncture Superior To Dry Needling
Acupuncture is a fantastic pain reduction therapy. It also effectively treats conditions like infertility, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. See a full list by clicking on “Conditions We Treat” above. Don’t settle for inferior treatment. Get acupuncture instead of dry needling.
What our Clients are Saying
I’m a golfer and started having trouble with my left shoulder over a year ago. My doctor wanted to do surgery, but I wanted to try other alternatives first. So I tried acupuncture. The folks at Raleigh Acupuncture were very professional, reasonably priced and did excellent work. They resolved my shoulder pain completely. I use them now for other pains in my post-50 body! Thank you Raleigh Acupuncture.
I’m a dentist and over the last 20 years the nature of my work and positions required by my work had resulted in chronic neck pain. It affected my sleep, limited my ability to exercise, and was just a real pain in the neck! A friend at church recommended Raleigh Acupuncture and I gave it a try. I have to say that I was a bit skeptical, but gave it a try because I had tried a number other therapies with no success. I’m glad I did. They resolved my neck pain completely!
All of my joints were hurting. I’ve got fibromyalgia and it effects me by making my joints hurt. The pain would move around from place to place, first the hip, the next day the shoulder, then the knee, etc. The practitioner at Raleigh Acupuncture explained that the best way to treat my kind of moving joint pain was to treat me holistically. Instead of treating the hip one day, the shoulder the next, they treated the root of the pain. They said this type of treatment would also improve my mood and my sleep. Right on all counts. I started feeling better after the second treatment. It’s like all of the joints just settled down and stopped giving me trouble. I had less flares and the intensity of the pain went way down. My sleep is better, not just because I have less pain. I’m more relaxed and less stressed. I’ve made this treatment a regular part of my life. I’m very grateful.
I suffered from low back pain for years and tried many different remedies. When I came to Raleigh Acupuncture, they really listened to understand my issues. I can honestly say that they cured my chronic back pain. I didn’t think it was possible, after all these years. I highly recommend this practice. The doctors take the time and do good work.