I have been receiving dry needling from a PT as part of my treatment for myofascial pain syndrome for several years. It has been very helpful in keeping my pain under control by targeting trigger points and relieving tension in them. I have never had any negative results from this treatment. The needles are used to relieve muscles, not to stimulate nerves. I do not understand how this can be confused with acupuncture. My PT has never suggested that dry needling was anything like acupuncture or that I was receiving acupuncture treatment. If any action involving a certain type of needle is considered acupuncture, then you could use such a needle to pin a notice on a bulletin board and call it acupuncture.