| Action | Practice of dry needling |
| Stage | Proposed |
| Comment Period | Ended on 7/26/2019 |
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North Carolina
Case 1. In December 2014, a woman suffered a penetrating lung injury related to dry needling performed by a physical therapist [26]. The penetrating lung injury resulted in a traumatic pneumothorax [26]. The traumatic pneumothorax required medical and surgical intervention [26].
Case 2. In February 2016, a woman suffered a penetrating cervical spinal cord injury related to dry needling performed by a physical therapist [26]. The penetrating cervical spinal cord injury resulted in a traumatic spinal epidural hematoma, which resulted in severe pain, numbness, and lower-extremity paresis (partial or incomplete paralysis) [26]. She was treated for the severe pain, numbness, and lower-extremity paresis at the emergency department of the WakeMed Cary Hospital in Cary, North Carolina, and was admitted to that hospital on the same day [26]. The severe pain, numbness, and lower-extremity paresis required medical intervention [26]. She was hospitalized for three days [26].
Ohio
Case 1. In January 2016, 51-year-old Brenda Bierman suffered a penetrating right lung injury related to dry needling performed by a physical therapist [27]. The penetrating right lung injury resulted in a traumatic pneumothorax [27]. She was treated for the traumatic pneumothorax at the emergency department of the ProMedica Toledo Hospital in Toledo, Ohio, and was admitted to that hospital on the same day [27]. The traumatic pneumothorax required medical intervention [27].
Case 2. In February 2016, 47-year-old Anong Pipatjarasgit suffered a penetrating thoracic spinal cord injury related to dry needling performed by a physical therapist [28]. The penetrating thoracic spinal cord injury resulted in a traumatic spinal epidural hematoma [28]. She was treated for the traumatic spinal epidural hematoma at the emergency department of the ProMedica Toledo Hospital in Toledo, Ohio, and was admitted to that hospital’s intensive care unit on the same day [28]. The traumatic spinal epidural hematoma required immediate surgical drainage [28]. She was hospitalized for 51 days [28]. Despite extensive rehabilitation efforts, she has permanent, severe neurologic deficits, including lower-extremity paresis, sensory deficits, and bowel and bladder dysfunction; persistent, severe abdominal pain; and persistent, severe back pain [28].
South Carolina
Case 1. In September 2014, a patient suffered a penetrating lung injury related to dry needling performed by a physical therapist [29]. The penetrating lung injury resulted in a traumatic pneumothorax [29]. The traumatic pneumothorax required medical intervention [29].
Virginia
Case 1. In December 2013, a 50-year-old woman suffered a penetrating right lung injury related to dry needling performed by a physical therapist [30]. The penetrating right lung injury resulted in a traumatic pneumothorax [30]. She was treated for the traumatic pneumothorax at the emergency department of a hospital in Virginia, and was admitted to that hospital on the same day [30]. The traumatic pneumothorax required medical intervention [30]. She was hospitalized for two days [30].
Case 2. In May 2015, a 30-year-old woman suffered a penetrating right lung injury related to dry needling performed by a chiropractor [31]. The penetrating right lung injury resulted in a traumatic pneumothorax [31]. She was treated for the traumatic pneumothorax at the emergency department of the Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia, and was admitted to that hospital on the same day [31]. The traumatic pneumothorax required medical intervention [31]. She was hospitalized for six hours [31].
Case 3. In 2016, 23-year-old Wes Jenkins suffered a penetrating lung injury related to dry needling performed by a physical therapist [32]. The penetrating lung injury resulted in a traumatic pneumothorax [32]. He was treated for the traumatic pneumothorax at the emergency department of a hospital in Virginia, and was admitted to that hospital on the same day [32]. The traumatic pneumothorax required medical and surgical intervention [32]. He was hospitalized for four days [32].
To report a serious adverse event related to dry needling performed by an unqualified practitioner of acupuncture, such as a physical therapist, use the Dry Needling Adverse Event Reporting System (DNAERS) form athttps://www.acupuncturesafety.org/dry-needling- adverse-event-reporting-system-dnaers-form. The National Center for Acupuncture Safety and Integrity (NCASI) will use the information as part of our legislative and administrative advocacy work.
Reference:
26. N.C. Acupuncture Licensing Bd. v. N.C. Bd. of Physical Therapy Exam’rs, No. 2016CVS9539 (North Carolina Business Court, Wake County Jul. 27, 2016).
27. Bierman v. Ligman PT, No. G-4801- CI-201701167-000 (Ohio Common Pleas Court, Lucas County Jan. 13, 2017).
28. Pipatjarasgit v. ProMedica, No. G-4801- CI-201703351-000 (Ohio Common Pleas Court, Lucas County Jul. 14, 2017).
29. Office of Investigations and Enforcement. Board of physical therapy IRC. Columbia (SC): South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Office of Investigations and Enforcement; 2016 Nov15.
30. Stewart J. My patient had a pneumothorax from dry needling. Richmond, VA: Virginia Regulatory Town Hall; 2017 Feb 17. https:// www.townhall.virginia.gov/L/viewcomments.cfm? commentid=57088.
31. Knauer J. Pneumothorax from an allied health professional performing dry needling in Virginia. Richmond, VA: Virginia Regulatory Town Hall; 2017 Feb 17. https://www.townhall.virginia.gov/L/ viewcomments.cfm?commentid=57102.
32. Jenkins W. Received pneumothorax from dry needling. Richmond, VA: Virginia Regulatory Town Hall; 2017 Feb 13. https:// www.townhall.virginia.gov/L/viewcomments.cfm? commentid=56747.