I have been in serious pain for 3 years, and before that have had other incidents that caused pain (torn ligaments, etc.). I have used both Acupuncture and Dry Needling (administered by a professionally trained PT) and can say without a doubt that they are not the same. Even when you simply reference each practice it explains the difference. Dry Needling releases deep pressure points that can not be reached manually. Acupuncture re-aligns the energy paths and flow through adjusting the electro-energy neurohormonal pathways. They BOTH work, but in different ways. Dry Needling is very important an I would not be in the final stages of recovery today if it were not for the ease-of-administration of dry needling by my PT. Only a trained PT knows when this procedure is needed, not an MD.