For the term "dry needling", it is another translation of the Chinese medicine term "Zhen". Same meaning as the "Acupuncture".

Some professionals want to actually practice acupuncture, using "dry needling" to bypass the acupuncture law. This is not safe for the general public and not fair to acupuncture profession either for licensed acupuncturists or medical (physician) acupuncturists.

Acupuncture law requires for a licensed acupuncturist: (1) a student graduates from a national agency-accredited acupuncture school (before applying the school, should with q minimal 60 credits from an accredited college); (2) three years of graduate study at least at a master's degree (minimal 90 credits); (3?pass national examination of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM); (4) get a acupuncture license from the state.

Acupuncture law requires a licensed physician(MD) to practice acupuncture: (1) with MD license (this requires 4 years post-undergraduate college study); (2) 250-300 hours of acupuncture training in an accredited Medical Acupuncture training agency.

Any other professionals, like athletic trainers, need to follow the acupuncture law and get a formal education in an acupuncture school. I oppose using "dry needling" to bypass the acupuncture law, and practicing dry needling (actually acupuncture), without enough training.