What is Dry Needling? What is Medical Acupuncture?
The primary differences between dry needling, acupuncture and medical acupuncture are who performs the procedure and the variety of techniques that can be performed. In a nutshell, licensed acupuncturists perform acupuncture; chiropractors and physical therapists perform dry needling; and MDs perform medical acupuncture. The required training differs immensely between these health practitioners.
TRAINING
1. Licensed Acupuncturist in Tennessee: We currently maintain dual licensure in Tennessee and California. The requirements to become a California licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) are 2,050 classroom hours and 950 supervised clinic hours. This turns out to be a 4 year Masters program. Tennessee requirements are less at 700 classroom hours and 660 supervised clinic hours.
2. Dry Needling for Physical Therapists in Tennessee: 50 hours of training
3. Dry Needling for Chiropractors in Tennessee: 250 hours of training
4. Medical Acupuncture for MDs in Tennessee: No additional training is required.
So how are the three therapies similar?
HOW THE TECHNIQUES DIFFER
1. Acupuncture in Franklin, TN: Acupuncturists are trained to follow both a Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine diagnosis. Traditional Chinese Medicine combines philosophical concepts of yin and yang, 5 elements and organ theory to diagnose and treat. The acupuncture points that are chosen can be in the area of pain (local needling) and/or distant to the area of pain (distal needling). Other modalities can be cupping, moxibustion and acupressure.
Acupuncturists have a wider range of techniques to treat disease. We are trained in multiple options and can vary our acupuncture treatments, depending on how a patient responds. Because our training is so much more extensive, the ability to diagnose and formulate a treatment plan is greater.
As an example, imagine if your body has multiple rooms (kitchen, bathroom, living room, etc) and multiple systems (plumbing, electrical, structural). We are almost like a general contractor in that we can work on any aspect of the house (roof, electrical, bathroom remodel, etc.). Dry needling is a small subset of acupuncture and would be someone that only works on plumbing. They are very proficient at that particular trade but don't ask a plumber to repair your electrical system.
In addition to treating pain, acupuncture can also treat a wide variety of health conditions.
2. Dry Needling in Franklin: These techniques are limited to treating pain and usually involve trigger points; needles are placed in areas of pain or tenderness and strong stimulation is used. What are dry needles? Dry needles are the same as acupuncture needles: these are sterile, stainless needles that are used once.
Why Is Pain Worse After Dry Needling?
Dry needling muscle techniques are usually very vigorous with larger needles and electrical stimulation. This doesn't mean that every patient will experience pain after dry needling. But the chances of pain being worse after dry needling muscles are higher than if they received acupuncture. This is because acupuncture focuses more on placement, acupuncture channel theory and possible internal medical causes of pain.
3. Medical Acupuncture in Franklin: Although additional training is not required, almost every MD will voluntarily attend seminars to learn acupuncture skills. The styles of medical acupuncture are extremely varied and cannot be quickly summarized. My opinion is that some medical acupuncturists receive great classroom training but the clinical hours are usually lacking.
WHAT THE PATIENT EXPERIENCES:
The types of questions that an acupuncturist asks will be a combination of what a patient usually experiences and those that are specific to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Typical questions may focus on whether the conditions improves with hot or cold, day or night, thirst, etc. The acupuncture performed by an acupuncturist is usually not as vigorous as a dry needler. This doesn't mean it's not as effective; we only use the force necessary to achieve a desired effect.
Dry needling is usually very vigorous and stimulating. The best patients for dry needling tend to be athletic and robust.
Medical acupuncture techniques vary greatly upon the training that they've received or haven't received.
For acupuncture appointments, please call (615) 260-6944 or click this link. If you have any questions about dry needling in Franklin or medical acupuncture in Franklin, please contact us!
Serving Franklin, Brentwood, Thompson's Station, Spring Hill, Columbia, Nashville and Murfreesboro Tennessee.
The primary differences between dry needling, acupuncture and medical acupuncture are who performs the procedure and the variety of techniques that can be performed. In a nutshell, licensed acupuncturists perform acupuncture; chiropractors and physical therapists perform dry needling; and MDs perform medical acupuncture. The required training differs immensely between these health practitioners.
TRAINING
1. Licensed Acupuncturist in Tennessee: We currently maintain dual licensure in Tennessee and California. The requirements to become a California licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) are 2,050 classroom hours and 950 supervised clinic hours. This turns out to be a 4 year Masters program. Tennessee requirements are less at 700 classroom hours and 660 supervised clinic hours.
2. Dry Needling for Physical Therapists in Tennessee: 50 hours of training
3. Dry Needling for Chiropractors in Tennessee: 250 hours of training
4. Medical Acupuncture for MDs in Tennessee: No additional training is required.
So how are the three therapies similar?
- they all use the same equipment which consists of sterile, stainless steel acupuncture needles
- all three therapies are effective for treating pain
HOW THE TECHNIQUES DIFFER
1. Acupuncture in Franklin, TN: Acupuncturists are trained to follow both a Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine diagnosis. Traditional Chinese Medicine combines philosophical concepts of yin and yang, 5 elements and organ theory to diagnose and treat. The acupuncture points that are chosen can be in the area of pain (local needling) and/or distant to the area of pain (distal needling). Other modalities can be cupping, moxibustion and acupressure.
Acupuncturists have a wider range of techniques to treat disease. We are trained in multiple options and can vary our acupuncture treatments, depending on how a patient responds. Because our training is so much more extensive, the ability to diagnose and formulate a treatment plan is greater.
As an example, imagine if your body has multiple rooms (kitchen, bathroom, living room, etc) and multiple systems (plumbing, electrical, structural). We are almost like a general contractor in that we can work on any aspect of the house (roof, electrical, bathroom remodel, etc.). Dry needling is a small subset of acupuncture and would be someone that only works on plumbing. They are very proficient at that particular trade but don't ask a plumber to repair your electrical system.
In addition to treating pain, acupuncture can also treat a wide variety of health conditions.
2. Dry Needling in Franklin: These techniques are limited to treating pain and usually involve trigger points; needles are placed in areas of pain or tenderness and strong stimulation is used. What are dry needles? Dry needles are the same as acupuncture needles: these are sterile, stainless needles that are used once.
Why Is Pain Worse After Dry Needling?
Dry needling muscle techniques are usually very vigorous with larger needles and electrical stimulation. This doesn't mean that every patient will experience pain after dry needling. But the chances of pain being worse after dry needling muscles are higher than if they received acupuncture. This is because acupuncture focuses more on placement, acupuncture channel theory and possible internal medical causes of pain.
3. Medical Acupuncture in Franklin: Although additional training is not required, almost every MD will voluntarily attend seminars to learn acupuncture skills. The styles of medical acupuncture are extremely varied and cannot be quickly summarized. My opinion is that some medical acupuncturists receive great classroom training but the clinical hours are usually lacking.
WHAT THE PATIENT EXPERIENCES:
The types of questions that an acupuncturist asks will be a combination of what a patient usually experiences and those that are specific to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Typical questions may focus on whether the conditions improves with hot or cold, day or night, thirst, etc. The acupuncture performed by an acupuncturist is usually not as vigorous as a dry needler. This doesn't mean it's not as effective; we only use the force necessary to achieve a desired effect.
Dry needling is usually very vigorous and stimulating. The best patients for dry needling tend to be athletic and robust.
Medical acupuncture techniques vary greatly upon the training that they've received or haven't received.
For acupuncture appointments, please call (615) 260-6944 or click this link. If you have any questions about dry needling in Franklin or medical acupuncture in Franklin, please contact us!
Serving Franklin, Brentwood, Thompson's Station, Spring Hill, Columbia, Nashville and Murfreesboro Tennessee.