I am receiving Dry Needling for headaches in my temporal region and tied to that is an ear problem on the same side.  I have received so much relief that my ear is no long a problem and my headaches (pressure headaches from the Trapezius and Sternocleidomastoid muscles.  Dry needling is directed directly to trigger points to release them from being tight like a knot.  These needles go in deeper than the accupuncture needles so they can hit the trigger point. Accupuncture is needles stuck in just deep enough to stay in that follows a channel.  There are different channels that the needles can follow depending on where your pain is located.  (i.e gallbladder channel to relieve pain in certain areas.)  These needles do nothing for trigger points.  I have accupuncture for my headaches and ear problem as well to zero success.  It may work for some people, but didn't for me.  My PT person who is doing the dry needling had his training in Bethesda MD and teaches DN all over.  He knows just what he is doing and does it well.  He was also one of the first 3 people licensed to do DN in VA.  I have had zero side effects from this procedure.  I see NO reason why PT's should NOT do Dry Needling if they have the proper training.  Two totally different procedures, Dry needling and Accupuncture and they should NOT be confused with each other.