Dry Needling vs Acupuncture - What's the Difference?

Both dry needling and acupuncture are procedures that involve penetration of the skin using solid filiform needles with therapeutic intent. Both techniques appear to be very similar on the surface, however there are also some key differences outlined in the table below.

Which needling technique is better for ME?

To my knowledge, there is no scientific evidence which indicates one technique is more effective than the other. It really depends on your individual beliefs and goals, your expectations of treatment and what you are seeking in a health practitioner.

Dry Needling	Acupuncture
Use filiform needles inserted into different parts of the body	Use filiform needles inserted into different parts of the body
Performed predominantly by physios and chiros	Performed by certified acupuncturists
Address musculoskeletal conditions	Addresses a broader range of conditions (ie GI, fertility, musculoskeletal conditions)
Theory involves producing a neurophysiological change	Theory involves balancing the flow of energy in the body, known as Chi
Needles are inserted into tissues we are trying to impact	Needles are inserted along meridian lines which are thought to be passageways through which energy flows
Shorter needle retention	Longer needle retention

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Dry Needling versus Acupuncture: The Ongoing Debate

Kehua Zhou,Yan Ma, Michael S Brogan Volume 33, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1136/acupmed-2015-010911

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