I am writing to express my strong support for the recent amendment proposed by the Virginia Athletic Trainers Association (VATA) to include dry needling within our scope of practice. This amendment is a crucial step forward for our profession, ensuring that we can continue to provide the highest level of care to our patients.

As an athletic trainer, I have seen firsthand the benefits of dry needling in treating musculoskeletal conditions. Our comprehensive education and training, including CAATE-accredited programs that cover invasive techniques such as emergency IV, suturing, and lidocaine injection for wound closure, have prepared us well for this modality. Additionally, other states have successfully implemented dry needling by athletic trainers, demonstrating its safety and efficacy.

I believe that formalizing dry needling within our regulations will enhance our ability to serve our patients effectively and align our practice with current standards in other regions. I urge the Board of Medicine to approve this amendment and recognize the value it brings to our profession and the communities we serve.