Acupuncture & Dry Needling in Smithfield
Smithfield Chiropractic offers both acupuncture and dry needling as treatment options that may be incorporated into care for pain, muscle tension, and other musculoskeletal complaints.
Although acupuncture and dry needling both use thin, sterile needles, they are distinct treatment approaches. Understanding the difference can help patients know what to expect and which approach may be appropriate for their individual needs.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture involves the placement of thin, sterile needles at selected points on the body. Treatment is individualized based on the patient’s symptoms, health history, examination findings, and treatment goals.
Acupuncture may be used as a stand-alone treatment or incorporated alongside chiropractic care and other therapies when appropriate.
What Is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a technique that focuses primarily on muscles and other soft tissues. Thin, sterile needles are placed into targeted areas of muscular tension or trigger points with the goal of reducing muscle tightness and improving movement.
Dry needling is often incorporated into a broader treatment plan when muscle tension, restricted movement, or painful trigger points are contributing to a patient’s symptoms.
Acupuncture vs. Dry Needling: What’s the Difference?
Patients frequently use the terms acupuncture and dry needling interchangeably, but they are not the same treatment.
Both techniques use thin, sterile needles, but they differ in their clinical approach and how treatment locations are selected.
Acupuncture uses acupuncture points selected according to the patient’s presentation and the practitioner’s acupuncture training and assessment.
Dry needling is primarily directed toward muscles, trigger points, and other areas of soft-tissue dysfunction identified during a musculoskeletal examination.
At Smithfield Chiropractic, both options are available, allowing treatment to be selected according to the patient’s condition, preferences, and treatment goals.
Potential Benefits
- Muscle tension and tightness
- Painful or sensitive trigger points
- Neck, shoulder, or back discomfort
- Restricted movement associated with muscular tightness
- Muscle soreness related to activity or overuse
- Certain musculoskeletal complaints involving the arms or legs
These techniques may be used independently or alongside chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic exercise, massage therapy, or other appropriate treatment.
Which Treatment Is Right for Me?
The appropriate approach depends on what is contributing to your symptoms and what you hope to accomplish with treatment.
For some patients, treatment may focus primarily on a specific tight muscle or trigger point, making dry needling an appropriate option. Other patients may benefit from an acupuncture-based approach.
Your chiropractor will discuss the available options and recommend treatment based on your examination, symptoms, comfort level, and individual goals.
What to Expect
Both acupuncture and dry needling use very thin, sterile, single-use needles. The number of needles, their placement, and how long they remain in place depend on the technique being used and the area being treated.
Most patients feel little discomfort when the needles are inserted. With dry needling, a brief muscle twitch or temporary soreness may sometimes occur when a targeted muscle or trigger point is treated.
Before treatment, your chiropractor will explain the recommended technique, what you can expect during the procedure, and how it fits into your overall treatment plan.