Dry Needling vs Acupuncture

Trigger points has been accounted for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Some studies suggest that TrPs are the primary source of pain in 30-85% of patients presenting in a primary care setting or pain clinic. 1, 2

In recent years, ‘Dry Needling’ has been a topic of controversy among acupuncturists and other allied healthcare professionals, including physical therapists and chiropractors. Many patients at my current acupuncture practice have reported that they have experienced ‘dry needling’ provided by their physical therapists. However, most of those patients have a lack of understanding in difference between acupuncture and dry needling. According to The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), dry needling is a procedural intervention using filiform needles to treat dysfunction of skeletal muscle and connective tissues,  and minimize peripheral nociception.3   While the theoretical genesis of dry needling involves trigger point therapy pioneered by the work of  Janet Travell and David Simons (Travell & Simons, 1999), its practical application is very similar to acupuncture techniques treating Ashi points (Tight Tender Points) and tendinomuscular channels in acupuncture theory. The most well-known ancient Chinese medical textbook The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine describes nine different needles and five tissues, which include needling subcutaneous tissues, muscles and tendon. Also, Huh- Im(1570-1647) is one of the royal physicians of Chosun dynasty who wrote ‘Experiential compendium of acupuncture(Chim Gu Kyung Hum Bang)’ based on his clinical experience. In this book, he describes a needling technique which is very similar to trigger point dry needling. 4

References

1. Leonid Kalichman, Simon Vulfson, Dry Needling in the Management of Musculoskeletal Pain, the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, September 2010,23 (5) 640-646; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2010.05.090296
2. Robert Morihisa et al., Dry needling in Subjects with Muscular Trigger Points in The Lower Quarter: A Systemic Review, The international Journal of Sports Physical Tgerapy, February 2016, Volume 11, Number 1
3. American Physical Therapy Association, Dry needling in physical therapy, http://www.apta.org/uploadedFiles/APTAorg/Advocacy/State/Issues/Dry_Needling/AnalysisCompetenciesforDryNeedlingbyPT.pdf, last updated November 7, 2019
4. Mun Hyun Park, A study of Huh-Im’s Chim Gu Kyoung Hum Bang, The Journal of Korean Medical History, 2002, vol.15-1, pg. 63-146, http://www.koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO200224578160404.page

 

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