There is a lot of confusion between dry needling vs acupuncture. A lot of people think they are the same thing when in reality they are not the same. The only commonality between the two is that they both use the same needles for insertion into the body. Acupuncture today requires much more education in the western world. It is essential that you understand the difference between the two because they are based on entirely different principles.
Dry Needling Vs Acupuncture
Dry Needling Today
Dr. Chan Gunn developed dry needling as a technique for relaxing overactive, also knows as trigger points. The goal of dry needling is to provide relief from muscular pain and dysfunction. When a practitioner uses dry needling, they are looking for trigger points in your muscles to stick needles into. These needles they use do not inject any substances.
Dry Needling vs Acupuncture Today
Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine that stems from teachings that are over 5000 years old. It’s based on a balanced flow of chi, which is a vital life energy present in all organisms.
The ancient texts teach that chi circulates the body through 12 different pathways called meridians. Each meridian has a specific link and role. The practice of acupuncture sticks sterile needles in specific meridian points to help with the flow of chi. The belief is that when the chi is blocked at any of these points, it contributes to pain and illness.
Key Differences With Dry Needling Vs Acupuncture
One important distinction is that dry needling is based on western medicine. Western medicine is what most Americans understand is used to. Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine which comes from the east.
It is important to take note of this because most of the western world is not used to talking about Traditional Chinese Medicine. This makes understanding what acupuncture is difficult for many on this side of the planet. It does not mean that Traditional Chinese Medicine is wrong, it is just different.
Since dry needling is based on Western Medicine, it is easier to understand. The healthcare provider is searching for trigger points you would look for while foam rolling. When they find the trigger point, they are sticking a needle at that point to try and hit that trigger point, so it releases. That is much easier to understand for many people in the western world.
Acupuncture Today is About Education
If you are going to get acupuncture today, it is really important that you take one of two mindsets. You either don’t care about what is being done as long as it is making you feel better. Or you can take the higher road and try and understand what these needles are doing to your body. The best way to go about doing this is to work with acupuncturists that are great educators.
It takes time to understand Traditional Chinese Medicine well. The only way you are going to get there is by asking a lot of questions and working with a healthcare provider that loves to educate their patients. That is what Acupuncture today is really about. Other than that acupuncture today is what it has been for the last 5000 years.
Dry Needling vs Acupuncture – How to Find Help
Keys to Look for in Provider
- Great listening skills
- Love to educate and answer questions because acupuncture today demands it
- Excellent 9INE POINT Number
- Multiple skillsets
- Great Reviews on 9INE POINT Health
- You feel comfortable with them as a person
When you begin your search for a health care provider that can work for you, 9INE POINT Health is the place to start. It is the only platform that lets you search for people based on skill sets. You can search for a Chiropractor that knows dry needling, and also active release technique for example and be shown all of the best local options.
If you don’t know if you need to see an acupuncturist or any other discipline, we will ask you a set of yes or no questions to help you out. It does not matter if it is dry needling vs acupuncture or physical therapy vs seeing a chiropractor. Either way, we want to make sure that you never have a bad treatment again. You need to be healthy so you can do what you love.
What If You Can’t Fix Your Injury On Your Own
Sometimes you can ice all you want, but a muscle is in pain because another area is not working or because it is protecting you. With the hips, for example, your back may be hurting because your psoas is doing too much work and it is also tight. The psoas may be doing too much work because your other hip flexors are not activating correctly. The chain reaction could keep going until you interrupt it with acupuncture today!
Sometimes you need the help of a sports medicine provider. Sports medicine providers are used to working with athletes that need to get results quickly, to get back on the field. If you are not an athlete, I am sure that you still want quick results.
There are many different options you can go with when looking for a provider. You could get a chiropractor, massage therapist, physical therapist or many other options. The key is finding someone you trust and that you are excited to work with.
How to Find The Best Healthcare Providers – Dry Needling vs Acupuncture
9INE POINT Health is the best place to find the health care providers you need for any injuries. It does not matter where you are hurting; a 9INE POINT Health provider will be able to get you healthy again. 9INE POINT allows you to find the best local providers and compare them quickly using the 9INE POINT Number.
If you have no idea what you need, but you know you need something, 9INE POINT Health is an injury guide, and you will get helped through the process. We make it easier for you to find the information and the person you are looking for.
Other Skills to Look for in Healthcare Providers:
- Active Release Technique
- Graston Technique
- Massage
- Fascial Stretch Therapy
- Corrective exercises
- Sports Background
- Functional Movement Screen
- And more
