Dry Needling: Why Acupuncturists Do It Better
I often encounter patients that ask if I do dry needling, generally confused about the difference between "dry needling" and "acupuncture". The simplest answer is, yes, I do. And as a licensed acupuncturist, I'm better equipped than most to do so. Procedurally, there is no difference between dry needling and acupuncture. You actually use the same codes when billing each of these treatments as insurance claims. Thus, it is not a matter of procedure - it is a matter of intent, application, and understanding how needles affect the targeted tissue as well as the global myofascial system. It is a matter of skill, of experience, and it requires the recognition of a traditional medical system that's been practiced for thousands of years. A growing number of medical practitioners can obtain a simple weekend certification and various sports organizations, professional and collegiate alike, are certifying athletic trainers and physical therapists to dry needle their a...