?Trigger point dry needling is distinctly different from acupuncture as the treatment goal and method is different.  While both practices may use a similar implement or device, the clinical reasoning, technique, and goal of the treatment are different.  Trigger point dry needling specifically addresses hyperirritable loci in the muscle tissue to elicit a physiological response in the muscle tissue to enhance and progress treatments performed by Physical Therapists.  This response is similar to the response elicited by other treatment modalities.