08/07/2025
Acupuncture Is the OG. Healing Starts with Whole-Body Health
I get asked this question all the time: What’s the difference between acupuncture and dry needling?
Let me be direct with you because I believe in honesty and clarity when it comes to your health.
Dry needling is not new. It’s not different. It’s actually just a modern take on what Traditional Chinese Medicine “ashi” trigger point needling, has been doing for thousands of years.
Dry needling came about in the 1940s when a doctor doing trigger point therapy with a hypodermic needle noticed pain relief.
After realizing the infection risk was too high, they switched to acupuncture needles and renamed it “dry needling.”
Not throwing shade, I want to educate you on the difference, as I have realized Nobody is answering the question!
So what's the real difference?
Dry needling targets muscle tension with a twitch response to bring temporary relief, often using a pecking technique to get the muscle to release. Sometimes it's paired with electro-stimulation. And yes, it can help relieve pain quickly.
But here's the key. Dry needling is for some symptom relief. Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture is for healing.
Acupuncture is built on a system that understands the mind, the body, and the spirit as one. It works through meridians, Qi (your life force), yin and yang, and a deep understanding of how organ systems and energy channels relate to one another.
When something is off, whether it’s pain, illness, emotional stress, or even chronic injury, TCM doesn’t just treat the symptom. It treats the root.
Have unexplained neck pain with no injury? TCM knows why.
Waking up every night between 1 and 3 AM? TCM knows why?
Had knee surgery three years ago and it still aches, flares red, or causes you heartburn and eye styes? TCM sees the bigger picture.
This is whole-body health. And this is what we need when we’re in pain, injured, or battling something deeper.
I am a STRONG believer in staying in my lane of expertise for the benefit of my patients! I have a degree in Functional Medicine for knowledge purposes, I do not “use” Functional Medicine to treat my patients. I refer my patients to Functional Medicine Doctor.
I understand and work with the mechanics of the aspect of the body, however, I will refer my patients to a Physical Therapist support my patient muscle skeletal dysfunction.
You get my point!
It’s important to know who is treating you and how they are trained.
you have any questions or curious about how can help improve your quality of life, here’s how you can make an appointment.
https://www.eastwest-acu.com/
