Three distinct practices. Three different training paths. Here's what every patient should know before booking.
TCM and Japanese approaches rooted in 2,000+ years of clinical tradition
Treating root AND branch simultaneously — addressing underlying patterns, not just symptoms.
Pulse diagnosis (28+ pulse qualities), tongue inspection, abdominal palpation, pattern recognition.
3–4 year accredited master's degree (MSAOM or DAOM), 2,000–3,500 clinical hours, state licensing exam.
Intake, pulse/tongue diagnosis, needle insertion (10–30 needles), 20–45 min retention, adjunct therapies (cupping, moxa, herbs).
Complex, chronic, and systemic conditions — fertility, anxiety, chronic pain, autoimmune, fatigue.
Physicians trained in acupuncture applying needles within a Western medical framework
Evidence-based symptom management; integrates with conventional diagnosis and treatment.
200–300 hour postgraduate add-on course (e.g. AAMA certification), no separate licensing exam required.
Eligible for Medicare reimbursement for chronic low back pain (up to 20 sessions/year).
Typically shorter (15–30 min), fewer needles, often combined with other medical care.
Patients wanting MD oversight, integrating acupuncture with conventional care, Medicare beneficiaries.
Physical therapists inserting needles into myofascial trigger points — muscles that are tight or in spasm
Western anatomy and biomechanics; targets specific muscle dysfunction, not meridians or qi.
Weekend courses (50–100 hours) in most states; regulations vary widely by state.
Dry needling is not acupuncture by classical definition — it has a different theoretical basis, training requirements, and scope of practice.
Typically 15–30 min, focused on specific problem areas, often part of a broader PT session.
Acute musculoskeletal injuries, trigger point release, post-surgical rehab, athletes.
| ClassicalAcupuncture | MedicalAcupuncture | DryNeedling | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provider | L.Ac., DAOM | MD, DO | PT, DC |
| Training | 3–4 year master's degree | 200–300 hr add-on | 50–100 hr course |
| Clinical hours | 2,000–3,500 | Varies | Varies |
| Philosophy | Root & branch (TCM/Japanese) | Symptom-based (Western) | Trigger point / myofascial |
| Medicare | Not covered | Covered (back pain) | Not covered |
| Typical conditions | Complex, chronic, systemic | MD-supervised care | Acute muscle issues |
| Session length | 45–90 min | 15–30 min | 15–30 min |
Browse our directory filtered by provider type — from licensed acupuncturists to dry needling physical therapists.