First off, many physical therapy clinics are presenting dry needling to their patients as a more relatable western version of acupuncture. For the patients who find eastern Chinese medicines intimidating or confusing, this can be comforting (however untruthful). There is also the case of insurance coverage. Although insurers who cover acupuncture are growing exponentially by the day, it’s not even remotely close to the number of those who cover physical therapy treatment nationwide. So essentially, this repackaging of dry needling as acupuncture by physical therapists is an intentional act to confuse patients about the true nature of their treatment in order to take advantage of their insurance coverage.

In a nutshell, both practices involve inserting tiny filiform needles into patients. Acupuncturists, for example, use these needles to treat a whole slew of ailments, including muscle and acute pain, emotional issues, digestive disorders, and headaches to name a few. Physical therapists practicing dry needling, on the other hand, use the needles in a way that primarily targets trigger points to treat muscle pain.