What's the difference between micro-needling and acupuncture?

© Bob Stockfield
Courtesy: National Center for
Complementary & Alternative Medicine

Micro-needling is basically the method of using very fine needles to pierce the skin to administer medications, reduce scars, and trigger the skin’s natural healing mechanisms, creating even, smooth and healthy skin. Acupuncture can also be explained as using very fine needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation to promote natural healing and improve body functioning. Both methods, micro-needling and acupuncture, use fine needles to stimulate the body to encourage it to heal itself. So what is the difference between acupuncture and micro-needling?

Acupuncture is a very old Chinese medical art, as well as a relatively new medical technique practiced by physicians trained and licensed in Western medicine. The ancient practice of acupuncture is based on the belief that we have channels of energy that run through and over our bodies in regular patterns. These energy channels nourish the tissues in our bodies. Any obstruction or restriction in the flow of any energy channel can impact the others, causing imbalances in our digestion or problems with energy productive activities. Keeping the flow of energy moving will keep our body systems in balance with each other. The more modern scientific explanation is that the acupuncture needles stimulate our nervous system to release natural chemicals and hormones to our muscles, spinal cord and brain. The correct release of chemicals and hormones will keep our body balanced and working in sync with itself.