Athletic Trainers are highly educated, board-certified, healthcare professionals with extensive training in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. As such, they are uniquely qualified to safely and effectively integrate dry needling into clinical practice. 

Dry needling is a skilled, evidence-based intervention used to treat neuromuscular dysfunction, relieve pain, and improve functional movement. Athletic trainers already possess the anatomical knowledge, clinical judgement and manual therapy expertise essential for this technique. With appropriate post-professional education, they are fully capable of incorporating dry needling into their treatment repertoire. 

Denying athletic trainers the ability to perform dry needling not only limits access to timely and effective care for physically active populations but also underutilizes the capabilities of a critical segment of the sports medicine workforce. In states where dry needling by athletic trainers is allowed, outcomes have been positive and safety records remain strong. 

Therefore, I strongly advocate for legislative and regulatory frameworks that recognize dry needling as within the athletic training scope of practice--when performed by professionals who have completed recognized post-certification education and training in the modality. 

Supporting athletic trainers' ability to perform dry needling enhances patient care, expands access to evidence-based interventions, and reflects the evolving standards of modern sports medicine.