I've read a few of the comments here against allowing PTs to use dry needling in their practice and it's pretty obvious to me that these people have never had dry needling done by a trained PT and don't really understand what it is.  A lot of people like to compare dry needling to acupuncture, just like a lot of people like to compare Physical Therapists to Chiropractors.  They are not the same thing!  Yes, there are similarities.  There are also a lot of differences.  Dry needling uses the same type of needles as acupuncture, and that's pretty much where the similarities end.  A properly trained Physical Therapist can use dry needling to go deep into a patient's targeted trigger points to break them up and relieve the patient of pain.  This is a much faster way to assist a patient in their quest for pain relief.  I have had a total of 13 surgeries over the past 25 years.  I know what pain is.  I have been to many types of physical therapists, chiropractors, and various types of doctors over the years.  I can tell you that dry needling is extremely effective - without it, many people (including myself) would live in constant pain.  I would never advocate for ALL physical therapists to be authorized to use dry needling.  There should be restrictions and regulations in place.  However, properly trained physical therapists should be able to use dry needling in their practices as necessary - as long as the rules are followed, training is kept up to date, and their patients understand the purpose, risks, etc. that go along with it.  There are so many roadblocks in our health care system - I don't understand why this is one of them.  Put the appropriate regulations in place and let these trained PTs do their job!  If you've ever been in pain, you'd agree!

1.  Physical Therapists possess the anatomical, physiological and clinical knowledge to perform trigger point dry needling safely and effectively. Physical Therapists are highly educated and trained healthcare professionals who specialize in treating the neurological, muscular and skeletal movement systems via many modalities and dry needling is one such modality. 
2.  Trigger point dry needling is distinctly different from acupuncture as the treatment goal and method is different.  While both practices may use a similar implement or device, the clinical reasoning, technique, and goal of the treatment are different. 
3.  The regulations proposed by the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy are sufficient to ensure public safety and should be fully enacted.