I have had trigger point dry needling by more than one highly trained physical therapist for years as well as acupuncture. They are two completely different techniques and experiences. Dry needling only uses the acupuncture needles as a tool. When done by a trained, highly educated physical therapist dry needling is safe and effective. It is the only treatment that has been able to release my painful trigger points. PTs only use one needle at a time, insert into the trigger point and release. Acupuncture does not aim to release trigger points as the needles do not go as deep. Acucpuncture inserts several needles at the same time and leaves them for a period of time. The two techniques could not be more different.