When a licensed acupuncturist performs dry needling treatment, it is called Trigger Point Release Therapy (TPR) .  Dry needling is acupuncture.  There are many different systems of acupuncture, and that is one of the systems of acupuncture that I use in my practice. 

Before letting someone put needles into your body, please remember to always do your research.  Consult with a LICENSED and well trained practitioner (I have over 3500 hours of training in acupuncture and have given over 20,000 treatments).