According to Merriam-Webster, acupuncture is defined as "an originally Chinese practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points especially to cure disease or relieve pain (as in surgery)."

Dr. Yun-Tao Ma, founder of the American Dry Needling Institute, states that, "Dry needling technique is a modern Western medical modality that is not related to Traditional Chinese acupuncture in any way. Dry needling has its own theoretical concepts, terminology, needling technique and clinical application." Dry needling was first introduced in the 1940's by Dr. Janet Travell and has its roots in modern Western understanding of human anatomy, biomechanics, and pathophysiology. When Physical Therapists dry needle, they do not claim to practice acupuncture; do not claim to use acupuncture terminology, meridian lines, or acupoints; and do not use acupuncture needling techniques.