Dry needling has helped me tremendously and is much more beneficial than acupuncture from my experience.  The needles go deep into muscles that are hard to manipulate by hand in order to release trigger points.  I question why acupuncture are so against it.  It appears that they are approaching this from a purely financial benefit to themselves.  As someone dealing with chronic pain, all modalities should be available.  Someone needs to recognize that acupuncturists are not looking out for the benefit of the patient but rather wanting to make more money themselves.