07/31/2026
Acupuncture vs. Dry Needling: What’s the Difference—and Why Does It Matter?
As an acupuncturist, I am frequently asked, “What is the difference between acupuncture and dry needling?”
At first glance, they may seem very similar. Both use very thin needles inserted through the skin to stimulate a response in the body. But the needle is only the tool. The education and training behind its use are a very important part of the difference.
The practice of acupuncture as a form of medicine requires extensive education in both classroom and clinical settings. Acupuncturists study anatomy, physiology, acupuncture theory, diagnosis, treatment planning, contraindications, and, importantly, the safety considerations involved in needle placement—including where, why, how deeply, and at what angle a needle should be inserted.
Other healthcare professionals may perform what is referred to as “dry needling” after completing significantly shorter continuing-education programs. While these programs may teach practitioners how to insert needles into muscular trigger points, they generally do not provide the same comprehensive education that a professionally trained acupuncturist receives.
Why does this matter? Because needling is not without risk.
When a needle is inserted too deeply, at an incorrect angle, or in an anatomically unsafe location, serious injuries can occur. Complications can include nerve, vascular, or organ injuries—some serious enough to require hospitalization and, in severe cases, potentially resulting in permanent disability.
This is why I believe it is important for patients to know who is providing their care and what training they have received.
When you choose a trained acupuncturist, you are choosing someone who has spent years learning not only how to use acupuncture needles, but also when to use them, where to place them, when not to use them, and how to do so as safely as possible.
Your health deserves more than someone who simply knows how to insert a needle.
It deserves knowledge. It deserves experience. And it deserves safety.
The accompanying article provides additional insight into the ongoing concerns and advocacy efforts surrounding acupuncture and dry needling, as well as examples of the serious injuries that can occur when needling is performed without adequate training.
So, if you are considering acupuncture or dry needling, I encourage you to ask questions:
Who is performing the treatment?
What education and clinical training have they received?
Are they licensed and properly credentialed to practice acupuncture?
You have every right to know who is providing your care.
When it comes to your health, don't just ask, “Do you offer needling?”
Ask, “What kind of training do you have?”
🌿 Your body is worth choosing a well-trained professional.
When a physical therapist inserts a solid filiform needle into a trigger point and calls it “intramuscular manual therapy,” the instrument is the same FDA Class II device an acupuncturist trains for years to use. The skin parts the same way. The tissue responds the same way. What changes is the ...
