Dry Needling vs Acupuncture: What's the Difference and Can It Help?

Dry needling vs acupuncture: both use the same kind of very fine, sterile needles, but they are different treatments. Dry needling is a physiotherapy technique that targets tight or sensitive muscles found during a musculoskeletal assessment. Traditional acupuncture comes from Traditional Chinese Medicine and places needles at set acupuncture points. The real difference is the reasoning behind where the needles go and why.

At AZ Physiotherapy Limited in Pakuranga, Auckland, dry needling is used as part of a wider physiotherapy plan when it's clinically appropriate. This guide explains how the two compare, what dry needling can and can't do, and what to expect.

Dry needling vs acupuncture at a glance

There is some overlap. Modern "Western" or medical acupuncture also uses anatomy and physiology, and some physiotherapists are trained in both.

What is dry needling?

Dry needling uses very fine, sterile, single-use needles to target specific areas of muscle and soft tissue. It's often used when muscles are tight, sensitive or contributing to pain and restricted movement.

Used appropriately, dry needling may help to:

• Reduce muscle tension
• Ease some types of muscular pain
• Improve movement
• Reduce sensitivity in tight muscles
• Make exercise and strengthening more comfortable, so rehabilitation can progress

Dry needling is a tool within physiotherapy, not a stand-alone fix. Read more about our dry needling service.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body. Traditional acupuncture uses a Traditional Chinese Medicine framework, which is different from musculoskeletal dry needling. People seek acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain, muscle tension, headaches, general pain management and stress-related symptoms. Whether it suits you depends on your health, symptoms and goals.

How can dry needling help your body?

After an injury, a muscle can become tight or sensitive as the body protects the area. That can restrict movement and make your exercises harder to do. Dry needling may ease those symptoms in the short term, giving you a window to move better and progress your rehabilitation.

What it doesn't do is repair an injury by itself. Lasting improvement usually comes from the full programme: strengthening, mobility work, education and a gradual return to normal activity. That's why we always combine needling with exercise and hands-on treatment.

Which conditions can dry needling help?

Dry needling may be considered alongside physiotherapy for:

• Sports injuries and muscle strains
• Back and neck pain (see lower back pain and neck pain)
• Shoulder problems
• Hip and knee pain
• Muscle tightness and trigger points
• Tension-type headaches with a muscular component

Does dry needling hurt?

Most people feel a small prick as the needle goes in, sometimes followed by a brief muscle twitch, pressure or a dull ache. That twitch is normal. Mild soreness or a small bruise can occur afterwards and usually settles within a day or two.

Is dry needling safe?

When performed by an appropriately trained physiotherapist using sterile, single-use needles, dry needling is generally considered safe. Side effects are usually minor, such as soreness or bruising. Serious complications are rare, and careful technique and training are how they are avoided.

Before needling, your physiotherapist should check your medical history and tell you if it isn't suitable. Let us know if you're pregnant, take blood thinners, have a bleeding disorder, have a fear of needles, or have a condition that affects your immune system or healing.

Which one is right for you?

No single treatment is best for everyone. A good practitioner works out why you have pain or restricted movement before choosing a treatment. For some people, dry needling is a useful part of physiotherapy. For others, exercise, manual therapy or education will do more. At AZ Physiotherapy, we start with a full assessment and only use needling where it's likely to help.

Is dry needling covered by ACC?

If you have an accepted ACC injury, your physiotherapy is partly funded by ACC, and dry needling can be part of that treatment when it's clinically appropriate. You pay the usual ACC surcharge for the appointment. ACC can also help fund acupuncture from an ACC-registered acupuncturist for a covered injury. See is ACC physio free? and our fees.

Dry needling in Auckland

AZ Physiotherapy Limited provides dry needling as part of physiotherapy at our clinic in Pakuranga, East Auckland, for ACC and private patients. Treatment may combine dry needling with hands-on physiotherapy, exercise rehabilitation, strengthening, sports taping and education, depending on what you need.

Your physiotherapist is Abdullah Abdullah, a New Zealand-registered physiotherapist with a Master's in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, who uses dry needling as part of his treatment. If you have pain, muscle tightness or an injury and want to know whether dry needling could help, contact us or book online for an assessment. Our aim is to help you move better, recover from injury and get back to doing the things you enjoy.