Dry needling is a treatment used by physios where we insert very fine filament sterile needles (acupuncture needle) into tissues,  in order to stimulate a healing effect. Depending on the specific points chosen and the technique used, its proposed effects are

• relax muscle spasm and myofascial trigger points (knots in the muscle) to improve function
• assist with pain relief
• reduce inflammation
• improve local immune / healing responses

The two most common techniques that are used by physios are; Myofascial Trigger Point and Segmental dry needling techniques. It is easy to think of it as a western type of acupuncture, where the treating physiotherapist uses needling alongside their anatomical knowledge and clinical reasoning. It should be used as an adjunct to other types of treatment and rehab.

Dry needling is not the same as acupuncture, although there are similarities between the two techniques. The main difference is the theory behind why the techniques work. Dry needling is primarily focused on the reduction of pain and restoration of function through the release of myofascial trigger points in muscle. Whereas acupuncture is defined as the stimulation of specific acupuncture points along the skin of the body corresponding with 12 imaginary energy channels (meridians) on the body. Acupuncture focuses on the treatment of medical conditions by restoring the flow of energy through these key points in the body to restore balance.

Assessment differences

The assessment that occurs before dry needling involves palpation, range of motion of muscles and joints, dermatomes, myotomes and a twitch response. The assessment that is involved before acupuncture includes meridians, ying and yang pulse, tongue diagnosis, acupoints and no twitch response.