Are Acupuncture and Dry Needling the Same?

At first glance, acupuncture and dry needling might look identical—they both use very fine, solid needles placed into the body. But as your pattern detective, I can tell you there’s much more to the story than what meets the eye.

Acupuncture is a complete and sophisticated medical system that has been practiced for over 2,000 years. It is rooted in Chinese medicine, which looks at the body as an interconnected whole rather than a collection of isolated parts. An acupuncturist doesn’t just ask, “Where does it hurt?” We ask why it hurts, when it started, what else is happening in your body, and what patterns are showing up beneath the surface. Pain is often just the smoke, not the fire.

Because of this whole-person approach, acupuncture can do far more than relieve muscle tension or reduce pain. It works with the nervous system, circulation, hormones, digestion, sleep, mood, immunity, and emotional health. Treatments are customized to the individual, based on patterns of imbalance rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol. Two people with the same shoulder pain may receive very different treatments, because their underlying patterns are different.

Dry needling, by contrast, is a modern technique that developed within Western musculoskeletal care. Its primary focus is local and mechanical: releasing tight or painful muscle tissue, often referred to as trigger points. What most people don’t realize is that dry needling closely resembles one specific acupuncture technique known in Chinese medicine as ashi point needling—sometimes called “that’s it!” points. These are tender, reactive spots that feel sore when pressed and benefit from release.

In Chinese medicine, ashi points are just one tool in a very large toolbox. They are rarely used alone, because pain and dysfunction are usually influenced by circulation, nervous system regulation, stress levels, internal organ function, and emotional load. Treating only the sore spot can bring temporary relief, but it often misses the deeper pattern that caused the problem in the first place.

This is why acupuncture treatments may include points far from the site of pain—on the hands, feet, legs, or abdomen—to regulate the nervous system, improve blood flow, and restore balance throughout the body. The goal isn’t just to quiet symptoms, but to help the body shift out of survival mode and into a state where true healing can occur.

So while acupuncture and dry needling may look similar on the surface, their intention, depth, and scope are very different. One is a single technique aimed at releasing tissue; the other is a comprehensive medical system designed to uncover patterns, restore balance, and support long-term health. As your pattern detective, my job is to connect the dots—so your body doesn’t just feel better temporarily, but functions better as a whole.

👉 Read the full article here to uncover all the differences in training, philosophy, safety, and results

Book Now