At JWell, we get a fair number of first-time visitors who request dry needling for muscle pain. While dry needling can be an effective way to treat pain and improve mobility, the subject deserves a deeper explanation of what dry needling is and how it relates to acupuncture.
We do perform dry needling at JWell, but before we settle on any singular technique, we prefer to speak with our patients and develop a deeper understanding of what’s going on in their body. Then, we pull from our full range of acupuncture, massage, and physical therapy modalities to determine the best treatment plan for that particular individual.
So yes, we do dry needling. But we also do much, much more. And we believe that licensed acupuncturists and a holistic approach to care is the best way to treat any ailment so our patients can live with less pain, less stress, and improved movement.
To understand the distinction between dry needling and acupuncture, read on.
What is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture?
The term “dry needling” is often used by practitioners who are not licensed acupuncturists. That’s because dry needling can be performed by physical therapists and other sports medicine professionals without undergoing a full acupuncture training and licensing process.
In reality, trigger point needling has long been part of acupuncture. Acupuncturists use different language to describe similar techniques that have existed within the profession for decades. Within acupuncture, dry needling has traditionally been called trigger point acupuncture or myofascial needling, as it targets myofascial trigger points with thin needles.
So dry needling is not separate from acupuncture, per se. It’s one facet of the practice.
Trigger point work is one tool within acupuncture, not a separate system.
What are “trigger points” ?
A trigger point is a tight, irritable knot in muscle tissue that does not relax the way it should.
Trigger points commonly develop due to:
-
Overuse or repetitive strain
-
Injury that never fully resolved
-
Poor posture or inefficient movement patterns
-
Chronic stress and nervous system tension
They can cause:
-
Local or referred pain
-
Restricted range of motion
-
Muscle weakness or fatigue
-
Persistent discomfort long after an injury has healed
When a needle is placed into a trigger point, tight muscle fibers are mechanically disrupted. Local circulation improves, increasing oxygen and nutrient delivery. Pain-related chemicals decrease, and the nervous system helps reset abnormal muscle tone.
In simple terms, the needle helps the muscle release a stuck contraction pattern and return toward normal function.
How does JWell approach dry needling and trigger point acupuncture?
In a comprehensive acupuncture treatment, dry needling or trigger point acupuncture is integrated with other acupuncture points and supportive techniques that promote nervous system balance, circulation, and recovery.
This flexible, holistic approach allows treatment to be adapted to how the body is responding, rather than relying on a single technique for every patient.
Are all JWell acupuncturists trained in dry needling?
Acupuncture is a broad field with many styles and specialties. Some practitioners focus on internal medicine, stress regulation, fertility, or traditional pattern-based care. Others — like our practice — focus heavily on orthopedic, myofascial, and trigger point–based treatment.
All of the JWell acupuncturists are professionally trained to ensure consistency, precision, and predictable outcomes. This internal standard allows patients to receive the same level of care regardless of which provider they see.
“It’s very common for patients to tell us they tried acupuncture elsewhere without experiencing the same results they get here,” Jen says. In most cases, that difference is not about acupuncture “working” or not working — it’s about the style of acupuncture being used.
Jen completed her training at the Tri-State College of Acupuncture, a program known for its orthopedic and biomedical emphasis.
The school was founded by Mark Seem, who helped integrate trigger point theory into acupuncture education alongside the work of Janet Travell, widely regarded as the originator of modern trigger point medicine.
This lineage reflects a long-standing integration of East Asian medicine with Western anatomy and neurology — not a recent trend.
“In our clinic, trigger point and orthopedic acupuncture are not occasional techniques,” Jen says. “They are core to how we practice.”
Jen also uses this same trigger point–based acupuncture approach when treating professional athletes, including work with the New York Giants, where care must be effective, efficient, and well tolerated. That experience informs how she approaches precision, comfort, and recovery for every patient — not just elite athletes.
Conclusion
Dry needling is not separate from acupuncture — it is one expression of it.
When trigger point release is delivered within a comprehensive, orthopedic-focused acupuncture framework, treatment addresses not only tight muscles, but the systems that contribute to pain and recurrence.
If you’ve been told you need dry needling, acupuncture — practiced in the right style — may be exactly what you’re looking for
