Our lifestyle alters the way our body responds to pain. Irregulated pain gets prevented if we have a regulated posture and active routine. Unfortunately, this is not true for most of us. Given the sedentary living conditions, pain is a constant occurrence. Various treatments address it. Some treat it on the surface, while others penetrate the underlying cause. This forms the fundamental difference between dry needling and acupuncture.
Professionals insert thin needles into specific points of your body. They do not contain anything to inject, but the technique of inserting them makes the difference. The result is relief from chronic conditions. Both acupuncture and dry needling fit this description. They share many similar characteristics but are not the same. You see an acupuncturist near me for different reasons than a dry needling expert.
Philosophy
The two practices work on alleviating pain and improving underlying muscle tissues. However, there is a difference in the philosophy. Dry needling depends on the understanding of physiological effects. It focuses on neuroanatomy and targets the musculoskeletal system. The therapist addresses pain areas specifically. Acupuncture, on the other hand, penetrates the nerve endings to correct the energy flow. This results in pain relief.
Medicinal origin
The practitioners have varied levels of training for acupuncture and dry needling. You get treated under the latter when you look for myotherapy near me. The practitioner treats myofascia, a thick tissue surrounding the muscles in this treatment. It involves a combination of techniques like massage and cupping besides dry needling. Typically, a medical degree is not required. The same does not apply to acupuncture as it is Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Benefits
Pain relief is the primary benefit of these therapies. You get treated for muscle stiffness, menstrual cramps, lower back pain, temporary soreness, etc. This is mainly the case with dry needling. With acupuncture, you derive additional benefits. As it focuses on fixing the energy imbalance, it also relives ailments. It addresses conditions like osteoarthritis, recurring nausea, dental pain, fibromyalgia, etc.
Experience
Needles get inserted at specific points in these treatments. Hence, they are mildly intrusive. This does not necessarily mean they are painful. Dry needling is stimulating, and you may experience slight pain during the session. But once done, the aching usually goes away. Inform the therapist if you experience side effects like bleeding, bruising, or soreness.
When you consult an acupuncturist near me, you can rest assured of no pain during or after the treatment. It only involves a little prick as the needles get inserted.
Penetration points
The focus in dry needling is muscle knots. They are often the reason for pain. Hence, the practitioner inserts needles in focus areas to relieve them. This, in turn, results in pain relief. In acupuncture, the concentration is on nerve endings spread across our body. By targeting them, the practitioners correct the irregulated energy flow and alleviate pain and ailments.
Join the discussion on this topic with DW Bike Club Blog by visiting our contact page
Leave a Reply