Dry needling and acupuncture both use thin needles, but they come from different training backgrounds and are usually used in different ways. The right option depends on your symptoms, medical history, preferences, and the practitioner assessing you.
Training and approach
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a registered Chinese medicine profession in Australia. Japanese styles, including the approach used at Free the Qi, often use a detailed intake, palpation, and gentle needling.
- Dry needling: Dry needling is commonly used by musculoskeletal practitioners to target local muscle or trigger point sensitivity. Training pathways vary by profession.
Technique and sensation
- Japanese acupuncture: Usually uses very fine needles, shallow insertion, and light stimulation. Sensations can include a slight prick, warmth, heaviness, a dull ache, or a numb tingle.
- Dry needling: Often involves deeper insertion into muscle tissue and may create a twitch response. Some people experience temporary soreness or bruising afterward.
Goals of an appointment
Acupuncture appointments may consider pain, stress, sleep, digestion, cycle history, and other context when clinically relevant. Dry needling appointments commonly focus on local muscle tension, movement, and musculoskeletal symptoms.
Neither approach is suitable for everyone. Tell your practitioner about pregnancy, medications, bleeding or clotting concerns, fainting history, and relevant medical conditions before treatment.
How we approach it at Free the Qi
We use Japanese acupuncture and Chinese medicine assessment. If you are unsure whether it is suitable for you, book an initial consultation in West End or Samford: Book now. Related reading: Acupuncture and Migraine.