Action | Practice of dry needling |
Stage | NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 12/30/2015 |
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I am able to look at this from both sides, both physical therapy and acupuncture. I am opposed to PT's performing "dry needling. " Just because you give it a different name doesn't change what it is. You are still taking a sterile needle and puncturing the patients skin. As to the skill level, most acupuncturist use a lot of distal points, much more than on the torso and neck area. These areas require a higher skill level for the placement of needles to avoid essential organs, lungs,the spine, nerves and arteries. If I am correct in assuming most of the dry needling is done on the torso and the neck/spine area, where the most skill level is needed to protect our essential organs, spine, nerves and arteries. These areas should require more skill and indepth understanding of needle placement to avoid injury. As acupuncturists we have over 3000 hours of training and still fight for recognition as a professional, yet 55 hours is enough for another professional. Why have acupuncture schools and licensing if you allow minimal training by other professions to change the name to "dry needling" and perform "acupuncture."