Dry needling is a skilled intervention that uses a thin solid filament needle that penetrates the skin to treat myofascial (muscular) trigger points. Trigger points are hyperirritable areas within a muscle that can be the source of local or referred (radiating) pain when activated. The term “dry” is used to distinguish it from hypodermic needles that inject a solution into the body.



How does it differ from acupuncture?



Both treatments apply the same needles but utilize completely different approaches. Acupuncture is based on Eastern medical diagnosis in which the needles are inserted into specific points that lie along meridians (channels) of the body to restore normal flow of the body’s life force. Dry needling is rooted in Western medical philosophy to treat myofascial trigger points and restore normal muscle function and alleviate pain.