Generally no. Anyone who has experienced both will tell you the techniques used are miles apart. The needles used are the same but that is where the similarity ends.

Acupuncture in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic form of acupuncture. This means that you are treated as whole person not just as a painful elbow, a skin rash, a painful period or whatever happens to the manifestation of your problem. Therefore the case history and the examination is far more comprehensive and the diagnosis is based on several factors such as your mental and physical wellbeing, the appearance of your tongue (colour, shape, smoothness, coating), the quality of your pulse in your wrist etc. These are all part of the holistic approach to any person seeking help from an acupuncturist who is trained in Chinese Medicine.

Those who are not TCM trained use Western Acupuncture or Dry Needling. Both of these methods are very symptom targeted and far less comprehensive in their approach to the underlying problems causing your your discomfort. Therefore the needling technique and the needling sites are also different.