Acupuncture or dry needling? Which do you choose?

Know the difference between dry needling and acupuncture by a physiotherapist?

Acupuncturists insert very thin needles into specific points on the body based on their knowledge from Traditional Chinese Medicine to stimulate energy flow within the body, whereas dry needlers use thicker needles that target trigger points within muscles to relieve tension and decrease pain.

Therapists use solid needles that don’t contain any kind of medication. This is why the technique is called “dry.”

Acupuncture is one of the most widely accepted alternative therapies in Australia.  Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years and is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture restores balance in the body by inserting fine needles into specific points which allows the body to heal itself.

The major component of traditional acupuncture is “vital energy” or Qi (pronounced Chi) which circulates throughout the body via a complex system of pathways called meridians. When a person’s Qi becomes unbalanced it can cause illness. Acupuncture aims to correct the flow of Qi which restores balance to the body, allowing the body to heal.

What Conditions Can Acupuncture Treat?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises acupuncture as an effective treatment for a wide range of conditions. Some of these conditions include:

• Back pain
• Shoulder pain
• Headaches
• Sciatica
• Arthritis
• Joint sprains
• Tennis elbow
• Migraines
• Knee pain
• Insomnia
• Recovery from arthroscopic surgery
• Stress and anxiety

What should I expect?

Acupuncture uses very fine, sterile needles which are inserted into specific pressure points on the body specific to the area needing treatment. Some people feel a slight warmth or tingling in the area, some people feel a small twitch in the muscle and some feel very little at all. The number of sessions needed will depend on the condition and how long it has been a problem. An acupuncture session with a Physiotherapist can vary in length. Typically, a session will last about 30-45 minutes and may include some education and advice about exercises to complement the treatment.

Did you know that acupuncture can be a great form of treatment for headaches? Like to learn more about neck pain and headaches? Read more here

If you are having chronic pain or injury it is important to have an accurate assessment and professional diagnosis of your symptoms in order to provide treatment and a plan to move forward with your health.

If you would like to ask questions or have an expert assess your symptoms, then contact us on 07 5448 3369, or simply book an appointment online!

Like to know more about Synergy Physio? Explore more about our team and how we can help you here!