Dear Virginia Board of Medicine,

I am writing in support of an Amendment to the Virginia Code allowing Certified Athletic Trainers to perform dry needling, after appropriate training and certification as well as with ongoing oversight from physicians. 

I am a family and sports medicine physician with Collaborative Health Partners in Lynchburg, VA. I work closely with Liberty University's sports medicine team and oversee treatments performed by our athletic trainers. Dry needling is a modality that many medical providers incorporate into their treatment of these Division 1 athletes for various muscular issues. One example is a trigger point, or "knot," like many of us experience in our trap or shoulder region. Another, is a hypertonic or tight muscle (glutes, hamstrings, quads, calves) that is causing pain, decreased motion and impaired athletic performance. Dry needling is an effective treatment option for these issues. 

Currently, the Virginia Code regarding the Practice of dry needling does not explicitly include this within the scope of practice for athletic trainers. Instead, "physical therapist." I am writing in support of amending the current Virginia Code in such a way that includes Athletic Trainers. Of course, as it spells out in the current Code for physical therapists, this would involve appropriate training and certification as well as ongoing physician oversight. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this and help all of us take great care of our patients, including allowing athletic trainers to utilize their unique skill set. 

Sincerely, 

Susannah Lichtenstein, DO