Our family has been utilizing the services of acupuncture to supplement our health regime and have seen tremendous results; however, we would strongly encourage that acupuncture (dry needling) be left to the experts that received the proper training and licensure within that practice of scope. The disparencies in the training hours and levels of expertise between acupuncturist and PTs could be a detriment to the patient's well-being if the practitioner is not well versed in this profession.

Eighty-six people have been accidentally killed by badly trained practitioners over the past 45 years, according to Britain's leading expert on alternative medicine. A review of patients who died soon after acupuncture found a history of punctured hearts and lungs, damaged arteries and livers, nerve problems, shock, infection and hemorrhage, largely caused by practitioners placing their needles incorrectly or failing to sterilize their equipment. The most common cause of death was a condition called pneumothorax, where air finds its way between the membranes that separate the lungs from the chest wall and causes the lungs to collapse. Without the proper training and experience the benefits of receiving this treatment would not outweight the risks involved. 

Western physicians may not be aware of the fact that strong needling of certain points (Hoku, Sanyinchiao, Tsusanli, lumbar and abdominal points, and several others) can cause strong uterine contractions and expulsion of the fetus.