Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture in Evanston: What’s the Difference — and Why It Matters

Both use thin, sterile needles, and both can help with pain, tension, and mobility issues. But there are important differences in training, approach, and results that matter for your safety and overall health.

As a licensed acupuncturist in Evanston, I see many patients who come in after trying dry needling elsewhere. Here’s what you should know before booking your next session.

What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a technique often performed by physical therapists, chiropractors, or athletic trainers to relieve muscle tightness and trigger points. The practitioner inserts a thin needle directly into a knot or tense muscle (often called a “trigger point”) to release tension and improve movement.

While it uses acupuncture needles, dry needling focuses only on specific muscle areas. Many patients search “dry needling for back pain” or “dry needling for shoulder pain” after hearing about it from a physical therapist.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has raised concerns that some physical therapists perform dry needling with very limited training — sometimes as few as 12–40 hours — compared to the thousands of hours required for licensed acupuncturists. They have called for training standards that match those of medical professionals who perform invasive needling procedures.

In Illinois, the debate has been ongoing for years. In 2014, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) issued an informal opinion that dry needling was outside the scope of practice for PTs. This position was historically supported by the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS), reflecting broader medical community concerns about whether PT training in dry needling meets the safety and competency standards expected for such procedures.

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a cornerstone of East Asian medicine, practiced for thousands of years. It uses fine needles to stimulate specific points along the body’s energy pathways (meridians) to restore balance, reduce pain, improve circulation, and support the body’s natural healing processes.

When you search for “acupuncture near me” or “best acupuncture in Evanston”, you’re likely looking for care that addresses not just symptoms but also the root causes — whether that’s stress, injury, digestive health, fertility, or chronic pain.

Licensed acupuncturists complete 3–4 years of graduate-level training in anatomy, physiology, diagnosis, and needling techniques. This includes hundreds of supervised clinic hours to ensure safety, skill, and patient comfort.

Key Differences & Training

While dry needling and acupuncture use the same type of sterile, single-use needles, the similarities largely end there:

• Scope of Practice

  • Dry needling: Targets trigger points in muscles only.

  • Acupuncture: Addresses muscles, joints, circulation, energy balance, stress, and internal health.

• Training Hours

  • Dry needling: Often 12–40 hours (sometimes a weekend course).

  • Acupuncture: 2,000–3,000+ hours plus national board exams.

• Oversight & Recommendations

  • AMA: Advocates for physician-level or acupuncture-level training for invasive needling.

  • Illinois: Past regulatory opinions questioned whether PTs should perform dry needling at all without extensive additional training.

• Approach

  • Dry needling: Focused, localized relief.

  • Acupuncture: Holistic, whole-body treatment with individualized plans.

When to Choose Acupuncture

Dry needling can be effective for isolated muscle tension. But if you have:

• Chronic pain that keeps coming back

• Stress, anxiety, or sleep issues

• Fertility or women’s health concerns

• Digestive issues or fatigue

• Multiple areas of pain or tension

…acupuncture offers a more comprehensive solution. You’ll still get the muscle-release benefits that dry needling provides, but also treatment for the root causes that keep the problem returning.

Patients often tell me, “I tried dry needling and it helped for a few days — but acupuncture made the relief last.”

How to Book a Session in Evanston

If you’ve been searching for “dry needling Evanston” or “acupuncture Evanston”, I’d love to help you find relief that lasts. My clinic offers a calm, welcoming space where we can address pain, tension, and whole-body wellness — all in one session.

Book your acupuncture session today and experience the difference expert needling care can make.
lisameyersonacupuncture.janeapp.com
Located in Evanston, easily accessible from the North Shore and Chicago.
Call: 773-517-7187