What is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?

This is a question I hear all the time.

Dry needling is orthopedic acupuncture.

Many people think of meridian based acupuncture when they think of acupuncture. However, there are many subsets and techniques of acupuncture depending on the specialty and training of the acupuncturist. Most orthopedically trained acupuncturists perform dry needling. Both modalities use the same types of acupuncture needles. Dry needling is a type of trigger point release using an acupuncture needle. Now in most states in the US, physical therapists and chiropractors can become certified in dry needling and offer this in their clinics. The training acupuncturists receive, 4 years academic and clinical, far exceeds the training other practitioners receive for dry needling certification, 2 or 3 weekend courses.

We can achieve fast and lasting results with this approach which results in pain reduction, the muscle returning to a healthier state and better performance. As an integrative sports acupuncturist, I often incorporate other techniques in addition to dry needling including TCM channel theory, neuro-acupuncture techniques, electro-acupuncture, cupping and gua sha (aka scrapping or Graston technique). As always, it is my intention to treat the individual person while using an orthopedic assessment to identify the root cause or original source of your pain. No one person or pain presentation is the same, and I aim to treat you according to your unique presentation.

I am a licensed acupuncturist (located in Golden, CO) with over 3000 hours and 4 years of academic and clinical training, including treating over 350 patients in my clinical internship before graduating, with a specialty in Sports Medicine. I have spent the past 8 years of my continuing education studying with some of the top orthopedic acupuncturists in the country and will continue to do so. I also hold my advanced certification in Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy, also known as Dry Needling.

Conditions I Commonly treat

  • Joint Pain, Tendonitis, Acute Injuries, Muscle Sprains

  • Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia

  • Neck and Back Pain

  • Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

  • Tennis or Golfer’s Elbow

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Temporal-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction - TMJ

  • Headaches or Migraines

  • Numbness, Tingling or Nerve Entrapment

  • Hip Pain, Piriformis Syndrome

  • SI Joint Pain

  • Sciatica

  • Runner’s Knee

  • IT Band Syndrome

  • Achille’s Tendonitis

  • Plantar Fasciitis

  • Neuromas