What is the Difference Between Acupressure and Acupuncture?

Doug Knueven, DVM, CVA, CVC, CVCH, the owner and medical director of Beaver Animal Clinic in Pennsylvania, explains that although there are differences in the lasting effects and who can perform the modalities, acupuncture and acupressure are really quite similar.

"The difference between acupressure and acupuncture? They're actually quite similar; they use the same system. The difference really is how you are stimulating the points. So obviously, with acupuncture you're using a needle to pierce the skin. With acupressure, you're simply using fingertips to apply pressure to the acupuncture points. And then other differences would have to do with how long you're stimulating the points. Acupressure and acupuncture can be used for all of the same things. To me, the biggest difference is that I find that acupuncture has a stronger effect that acupressure does. At the same time, you have to be a veterinarian to do acupuncture. So for instance, I can teach my clients how to do acupressure at that points that I am using acupuncture on so that the treatment can last longer with them treating the animal at home. Also, technicians can learn to do acupressure and that's something they can incorporate into what they do for animals."