Difference between Dry Needling & Acupuncture

You might have asked, “What is the difference between acupuncture and dry needling Dubai services?” A lot of people have also thought about this question. Because the two techniques both use needles, they can easily be confused with each other. Thankfully, this post will put an end to the confusion. Read on to learn more.

History

The first mention of acupuncture was recorded in the medical text Huang Di Nei Jing, also known as The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine. It was then further improved during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). As time passed, acupuncture, along with other traditional Chinese medicines, came to Japan in the sixth century. Acupuncture finally reached Europe in 1810. It was then, in the late 1900s, that it came to the US and was recognised by the Food and Drug Administration.

Dry needling, on the other hand, has its origin in Western Medicine. While both acupuncture and dry needling use needles, they are not historically related.

The history of dry needling is relatively new. It was not until the early 1940s that the concept was first proposed. By 1972, the Czech physician, Karel Lewit, further developed the technique “dry” needling. He started to stop using injected wet substance, but uses dry needles. That’s when “dry” needling came into being.

However, it was Janet G. Travell who originated the term “dry needling” in her book, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction. Dr Travell would later become the physician of John F. Kennedy. This paves the way for dry needling to become more popular in the United States. Eventually, dry needling came to the UAE, and now many physical therapy clinics offer the service.

Principle

Dry needling operates within the principle of using scientific and research-based conclusions. As a Western concept, dry needling has become a standard service offered in Dubai physiotherapy centres and other medical institutions. Acupuncture utilises the principle of meridians, or energy pathways. Acupuncturists believe that a disruption in this energy flow causes ailments, and it is through the insertion of needles that balance is restored.

Objective

The primary goal of acupuncture is to balance a person’s chi, or energy. By improving the flow and restoring the body’s alignment, acupuncture is said to help release endorphins, which in turn decrease pain and promote comfort and relaxation.

Dry needling has a similar objective – that is to improve a person’s well-being, release him/her from pain, and start living a better life. However, the main aim of dry needling practitioners is to release muscular knots and relieve pressure points. By targeting these points, the body can become more relaxed and experience reduced pain.

Furthermore, dry needling is a technique commonly used by physical therapists. This means that patients who undergo dry needling are likely also to receive other types of physiotherapy treatments in Dubai. For this reason, there’s more to dry needling than simply just pricking you with needles.

As an extension of physiotherapy, dry needling helps you reduce muscle tension, improve nerve functions, speed up recovery from injury, increase range of motion, and enhance flexibility. Dry needling is known to help in addressing neck pain, low back pain, migraine, tennis elbow, sciatica, joint dysfunction, spinal problem, and other musculoskeletal issues.

Want to learn more?

Identifying the difference between dry needling and acupuncture is just the first step. While both can be beneficial, it’s worth knowing more about how dry needling can help improve your overall health.

If you are looking for reliable medical professionals who offer dry needling services, then you should give Scandinavian Physiotherapy Center a try. As one of the best physiotherapy clinics in Dubai, they have the necessary skills, facilities, and experience to help you achieve a better level of wellness. Visit them today and see how dry needling and their other excellent services can help you!