If you’ve ever had someone mention dry needling, you may have wondered—wait, isn’t that just acupuncture? They both use thin needles, they’re both used for pain, and they sound… kind of similar. But the truth is, while they look alike on the surface, dry needling and acupuncture come from very different approaches, and they serve different purposes.
At Steady State Health, we use dry needling as part of our physical therapy toolkit—especially for runners, lifters, and active people dealing with muscle tightness, chronic pain, or movement restrictions. Here’s how it compares to acupuncture and how to know what’s right for you.
Dry needling is a technique used by licensed physical therapists to target tight muscles and trigger points. The goal is to create a brief, localized muscle response that releases tension, improves blood flow, and helps normalize movement. You can learn more about how dry needling works here.
At Steady State, we use dry needling to support performance-based rehab—never in isolation. It’s one tool in a full-body strategy to restore mobility, reduce pain, and improve how your body responds to training.
Acupuncture is a practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine that’s been around for thousands of years. It involves inserting thin needles at specific points on the body along energetic “meridians” with the intention of balancing the flow of energy (or "Qi").
Rooted in Western anatomy and science
Targets trigger points in muscle
Performed by physical therapists
Used to treat musculoskeletal pain
Often part of active rehab plans
Rooted in Eastern medicine and meridian theory
Targets energetic points across the body
Performed by licensed acupuncturists
Used for a broad range of conditions
Often part of whole-body wellness
Both approaches have value—but they’re not interchangeable.
If you’re a runner dealing with calf tightness, a CrossFitter managing hip pain, or someone who’s tried stretching, rolling, and massage without long-term results, dry needling may help reset your muscle system and improve how you move.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to support your nervous system, digestion, or chronic health issues through a more traditional or whole-body lens, acupuncture might be the better fit.
At Steady State Health, we won’t use dry needling unless it makes sense for your body, your goals, and your comfort level. And if we think acupuncture would help you more? We’ll refer you to someone we trust.
We’re here to answer your questions, explain your options, and help you choose the care that actually moves you forward. Dry needling isn’t for everyone—but when it fits, it can be a game-changer.
Schedule a free discovery call to learn whether dry needling could support your recovery, performance, or training.