Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
 
Board
Board of Physical Therapy
 
chapter
Regulations Governing the Practice of Physical Therapy [18 VAC 112 ‑ 20]
Action Practice of dry needling
Stage Proposed
Comment Period Ended on 7/26/2019
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7/24/19  6:05 pm
Commenter: Eric Reichardt, SORVA (Physical Therapy Outpatient PT Clinic)

Dry Needling a must to help patients recover in physical therapy
 

Dry Needling in PT is vastly different than the practice of Acupuncture.  PTs target the MS system and trigger points, NOT the energy meridians and holistic approach as is performed in Acupuncture.  The ONLY similarity is the type of needle being used.  We have performed thousands of dry needling procedures in our two clinics without "life threatening injuries" over the past 15 years resulting in thousands of people getting better faster which ultimately helps our local community and the state of Virginia in many ways.  Let's not try to scare the public or legislators into limiting access to this amazing modality in physical therapy.  Each profession has a place for implementing needles to help their patients with various methods and we (physical therapists and acupuncturists) should unite to help one another and collaborate for improved outcomes for our clients rather than fight one another.  

CommentID: 74086