Acupuncture vs Dry needling - who is it for and why?

Although acupuncture and dry needling both involve the use of fine needles, they differ significantly in approach, assessment, and therapeutic intention. Acupuncture is traditionally based on a whole-body perspective, aiming to influence broader systems such as pain processing, stress response, and energy regulation, while modern medical acupuncture also draws on neurophysiology to explain its effects. Dry needling typically focuses on inserting needles directly into muscular trigger points to release tight bands of tissue. In our clinic, we rarely rely on dry needling as a primary treatment strategy because we prioritise comprehensive assessment and active rehabilitation. We aim to understand why pain or muscle tension developed in the first place whether due to biomechanics, weakness, posture, or lifestyle factors rather than only releasing tight spots temporarily. Needling may sometimes be used as a supportive technique, but it is never our sole solution. Instead, we emphasise education, movement retraining, strengthening, and hands-on therapy that create long-term change, helping you not only feel better in the moment but stay better in the future.