If you are weighing the advantages of dry needling vs. acupuncture, you’ve probably found that both have distinct health benefits. At first glance, the practices of dry needling and acupuncture may appear very similar.
Both use thin needles to target various pressure points throughout the body. However, the results can be extremely different. It’s important to understand the difference between dry needling and acupuncture in order to make the right decision for your wellness needs.
What Is The Difference Between Dry Needling and Acupuncture?
When deciding between dry needling vs. acupuncture, it’s essential to consider your personal health goals. Dry needling and acupuncture are not the same practice. While dry needling focuses on eliminating pain and movement issues, acupuncture often focuses on correcting and balancing energy flow. For many, the dry needling vs. acupuncture choice is determined by the results a patient wishes to achieve.
Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture: Focus and Results
Acupuncture is an ancient medical practice originating from Asian disciplines that date as far back as 100 BC in China. It often focuses on meridians, which is a Chinese concept of life force energy flows in the body. This practice has many techniques, bodily focal points, and belief systems. Acupunctural clinical practices vary depending on the country and ideology.
There is a wide range of acupuncture philosophies and techniques, but the methods used in traditional Chinese Medicine seem to be the most common. Traditionally, acupuncture involves the belief that a “life force” (qi) circulates within the body along lines called meridians.
At Wayne Massage, we focus on dry needling, which is a newer approach that pays attention to easing acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Dry needling is a modern treatment designed to minimise muscular pain, and its popularity is growing.
This innovative technique involves the use of a thin monofilament needle to activate the body’s trigger points. These trigger points regulate pain in the body and are connected to a number of different nerves, muscles, and fascia.
Dry needling is performed on muscle tissue in order to reduce pain, deactivate trigger points, and restore function. Dry needling is rarely a solo modality of physical therapy; instead, it often is part of a broader approach incorporating other traditional physical therapy interventions.
Dry Needling vs Acupuncture: Are There Side Effects?
In acupuncture, common side effects include soreness, bleeding, or bruising where the needles were inserted. Single-use needles are now the practice’s standard, so the risk of infection is low. At Wayne Massage, we use the most modernised sanitation methods along with single-use needles so you can rest assured that your dry needling is performed according to universal hygienic standards.
Acupuncture is not recommended for people with certain conditions, including individuals with a bleeding disorder, a pacemaker, or who are pregnant. Due to the widely varying degrees of training and experience found in those who practice acupuncture, it is recommended that each patient carefully researches the practitioner’s credentials before receiving acupuncture treatment.
Dry needling is widely considered a safe practice. Drowsiness, fatigue, or dizziness occurs after treatment in a small number of patients. If this affects you, you’re advised not to drive. Any minor bleeding or bruising after treatment is normal.
Most patients who use dry needling to reduce chronic pain experience a sense of serene calm and relaxation after a dry needling session. It can help reduce the tension and inflammation of the muscles, providing more range of motion. Drinking lots of water after your session can help to rejuvenate your muscles and reduce any soreness.
Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture: Choosing A Practitioner
If you’re considering acupuncture, take steps to learn about the practitioner’s reputation and certifications. At Wayne Massage, our expert therapists are fully qualified and have undergone extensive training for our dry needling services.
Wayne Massage has been in business in Sydney since 2009, and our years of experience have made us one of the most popular places for dry needling services in Sydney and the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Dry needling is a safe treatment when performed by skilled, trained physical therapists, certified in the procedure. This gives each patient a sense of confidence and lessens the chance of anxiety.
The focus of dry needling is disrupting musculoskeletal pain cycles. At Wayne Massage, we use dry needling to help manage lower back pain, sciatica, fibromyalgia, pelvic pain, plantar fasciitis, neck pain, tennis elbow, shin splints, and headaches. The range of benefits can improve several other aspects of a person’s life, including increased physical activity.
Final Thoughts
If you’re deciding whether dry needling vs. acupuncture is the better treatment option, the choice comes down to your preferences and your individual needs. Dry needling offers a safe and effective treatment to those who are looking for an effective alternative to chronic and acute pain. While acupuncture is an invigorating and sometimes healing option, dry needling has many therapeutic benefits for those who suffer from musculoskeletal discomfort.
Wayne Massage offers therapists with a sophisticated therapy methodology that enables them to target trigger points and disrupt pain cycles. If you’ve been dealing with forms of acute or chronic pain, Wayne Massage’s dry needling may be the right treatment for you.
Contact us at our Hunter Branch on (02) 8073 9376, our Town Hall Branch on (02) 8073 9382, our Kings Cross Branch on (02) 8073 9281, or our mobile number on (04) 1087 8827.
