Contemporary Medical Acupuncture & Dry Needling

No. They use the same thin, sterile needles, but they come from different approaches.

Most people feel little when the needle goes in, then a brief muscle twitch or deep, cramp-like ache when it reaches a tight spot. That lasts a few seconds. The most common side effect is muscle soreness for about a day afterward.

OHIP does not cover acupuncture or dry needling at a private clinic. With extended health benefits, coverage usually depends on who provides it: at our clinic, needling is done by our physiotherapists and chiropractors as part of your treatment, so check how your plan handles that.

All three treat pain and injuries of muscles and joints, and there is a lot of overlap. If you are unsure, book an assessment with a physiotherapist or chiropractor. They will tell you if someone else on the team is a better fit.

There are three ways to book.

A hip that sits higher on one side is often due to muscle tightness or imbalance, the way you stand, or a slight difference in leg length. Small differences are common and not always a problem. If it comes with pain or affects how you move, a chiropractor or physiotherapist can assess it.

Holding your breath or bracing, for example during heavy lifts, pushes pressure into your trunk and ribs. If the joints of the mid-back and ribs are already stiff or the surrounding muscles are tight, that pressure can feel uncomfortable. It is usually mechanical and often responds well to mobility work and treatment.

Both use thin, sterile needles. Dry needling targets tight, tender spots in muscle (often called knots or trigger points) based on modern anatomy, while traditional acupuncture is based on meridian points. For muscle knots, dry needling is usually the more direct option, and contemporary medical acupuncture blends both approaches.