ACUPUNCTURE:
A method of treatment whereas extremely fine, hair-thin
flexible needles are placed at specific points on the energetic pathways, known
as meridians. When the needles are inserted you may experience a sensation of
tingling or warmth. People are surprised to find that treatments are actually
quite relaxing. 

ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE
A method of treatment where after a needle has been inserted
at a point and the Qi sensation obtained, an electric current is passed through
the needle both to strengthen and alter the nature of stimulation. 
Electro-Acupuncture has certain advantages over ordinary acupuncture.  First, it
can substitute for the time-consuming hand manipulation, thereby freeing the
doctor to treat other patients. Second, the amount of stimulation can be more
objectively measured and regulated by adjusting the current, amplitude and
frequency.  Third, it can, if desired, produce a higher and more continuous
level of stimulation than manual manipulation (an important factor in
acupuncture anesthesia). Finally, it is possible to apply the current through an
electrode on the skin surface without the aid of a needle inserted
subcutaneously. I.E: it can supplement or, to some degree, substitute for needle
puncture.

AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE
The ear is considered a microcosm of the body. Different
points on the ear relate to different body parts.  By stimulating the point on
the ear, the body part is affected.  This is done using needles during a
treatment, in addition to body points. It also can be used with `tacks' (smaller
needles or pressure stimulants such as ball bearings or seeds) attached to the
points and left in for a couple of days. The latter is done so the patient can
keep stimulating the point as needed when not being treated by the doctor.

HAND ACUPUNCTURE
A Korean technique wherein the hand is considered a microcosm
of the body. Different points on the hand relate to the meridians in the body.
If a particular part of the body cannot be stimulated because of bruising or
open wounds this technique along with ear acupuncture can be utilized to aid in
healing. It can also be used in conjunction with regular Acupuncture
treatments. 

ION PUMPING CHORDS
Wires that allow a one way directional movement of Ions. This
device was created to relieve excesses in certain areas of the body and transfer
that excess to a more deficient area. After diagnosing which areas need to be
treated through abdominal palpation, the doctor superficially needles points on
the body, and connects the Ion chords to those points. An immediate response is
noticeable through abdominal palpation showing relief of symptoms.

ACUPRESSURE
A method of treatment similar to Acupuncture, however,
instead of inserting needles, only pressure is applied to the points using
fingers, or tapered instruments.

MOXIBUSTION
A method of treatment whereby Artemisia is burned on or above
the skin at acupuncture points.  The heat warms the Qi and Blood in the channels
and is therefore useful in the treatment of disease and maintenance of health. 
Sometimes Moxibustion is more effective then acupuncture, whereas at other times
the two have a synergistic effect.

I heard about "Dry Needling," is that acupuncture?

Lately, some physical therapists and chiropractors have been using a technique that they call dry needling.  There has been a lot of controversy surrounding this issue because the PTs and DCs say that this is not acupuncture, when in fact it is.

​What a PT or DC is doing when they do "dry needling" is ONE of many acupuncture techniques.  This particular technique is called "Ah Shi" needling (pronounce 'ah shure') and it is done on what we call "muscular tendon meridians."  The reason people think it is not acupuncture is the fact that when not trained in the full scope of acupuncture and Chinese medicine their understanding of acupuncture is greatly limited.

One argument is "we don't use qi" - but in fact, they get a muscular twitch when the muscle is stimulated.  We would consider that one of the 'qi responses'.

Another argument is "we don't use the meridians" - but in fact they are using the "muscle tendon" meridians.  Meridians include "primary," "luo," "muscle-tendon," "divergent," and "extra-ordinary" meridians.  Just because you are not using "primary" does not mean you are not using meridians.   Those who are fully trained in Acupuncture are aware of all of these meridian systems and dry needling uses the muscle-tendon meridians.

Also, besides using meridians, acupuncturists use acupuncture zones and microcosm systems such as "hand acupuncture," "auricular acupuncture," "scalp acupuncture" and even more. None of these technically uses "meridians" but they are ALL ACUPUNCTURE.  'Dry needling is again, just one type of Acupuncture technique.

Another argument is "we don't use acupuncture point" - again, acupuncture points come in a variety of types: There are "primary points" (the 360 body points you would see on the average acupuncture chart), "Extra" points - which have names, but are not part of the primary mapped out system and we have "Ah Shi" points (any point on the body that elicits pain when palpated is, by definition, an "ah shi" point.  "Ah shi" roughly translated means "That's it" i.e. "that's the point."  "dry needling" is an acupuncture technique which uses ah shi points on the muscular-tendon channels; points that are associated with pain.

The problem that Licensed Acupuncturists and Doctors of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine have against PTs and DCs doing 'dry needling' is the fact that they are DOING ACUPUNCTURE WITHOUT FULL TRAINING.  In fact, they are, in essence, first semester acupuncture students who are practicing on the public with NO SUPERVISION and MINIMAL TRAINING.

I highly doubt you would want to go to a practitioner who has only had one semester of training. By saying, 'one-semester', I am seriously being lenient, many PTs and DCs who practice 'Dry Needing' have around 24 hours of training in acupuncture. A class semester in Chinese medicine colleges is 72 hours.  it is no wonder that incidents of pneumothorax (collapsed lung) have risen exponentially from needle related injuries since the 'dry needling' sessions started. 

I highly suggest you avoid anyone who says they do 'dry needling' and get treatments instead from a fully trained Licensed Acupuncturist.