Outside of the use of inserting needles into the skin, the two practices are quite different. Acupuncture is based on Chinese medicine, and Dry Needling is based on Western medicine techniques. Acupuncture is used to treat a variety of symptoms like headaches, nausea, etc. Dry Needling focuses on the alleviation of muscle soreness and pain. Acupuncture needles are inserted based on meridian lines, and Dry Needling needles are inserted into trigger points along muscles. Acupuncture is also highly associated with spiritual healing, and Dry Needling has been found as a useful technique for physical therapy.