This is a question that came up recently in a brief Twitter discussion. So thought I would take a stab at a more complete explanation.
Medical acupuncture (MA) is a western approach to the use of acupuncture based on an evidence based, more scientific understanding of the use of needles.
Given advances in understanding what happens at a neurophysiological level when we insert a needle, MA seeks to utilise these effects in different ways to promote healing and recovery from illness and injury. This is is a simplified explanation but I am sure you get the idea. For an excellent read on the definition of MA, take a look at this paper published in Acupuncture in Medicine.
So MA is effectively a more ‘mechanisms’ based approach and within the practice of MA points can be selected as either local, segmental, extra-segmental, central regulatory and finally myofascial trigger points.
Which type of point is chosen depends on the presenting complaint, assessment findings and desired therapeutic effect. Some of the best evidence we have for MA is in its use for MSK conditions, but the technique has other applications. For an up to date evidence review, click here
So in MA we often select trigger points as the target for the needle, when doing this the technique may be referred to as ‘Dry Needling’. The implication here is that trigger points are being needled with the intention of alleviating myofascial pain and dysfunction.
Dry Needling is a technique used under the ‘umbrella term’ of Medical Acupuncture which is broad and inclusive.
Having stated this, sometimes the terms Dry Needling and MA are used synonymously and interchangeably which can cause confusion. Some prefer to dissociate the terms altogether.
I would urge you as physiotherapists and other practitioners to think of MA as an approach which includes Dry Needling but which, especially in MSK terms, has applications which go well beyond simply needling trigger points.
As a treatment approach, MA has had a profound effect on my approach to patient care. Given the current move towards understanding and treating the more central mechanisms underlying pain, MA links in very nicely. If used in the right context, by the right therapist with the right patients as part of an integrated management plan, the results can be superb.
