Dry needling and acupuncture require different advanced certifications and training. They both use the same style of needle but there are significant differences in the intent behind the treatment. In acupuncture, the goal is to relax the nervous system and body by altering the energetic relationship within the body systems through inserting needles at different areas, called "meridians". The needles often stay in the body for much longer periods than in dry needling. In dry needling, an assessment is done to determine the specific muscles and tissues that are tight or have trigger points and the needle is inserted to break that down; many different techniques are used to elicit a twitch response and/or enable the body to release healing properties to the area. In some areas, needles are left for several minutes, in others they are removed immediately after insertion.