The insertion and manipulation into the body is acupuncture despite it being westernized as "dry needling".   As such, permitting athletic trainers to practice this modality is irresponsible to the general public as there can be real harm caused to patients with minimal education.  My training as an acupuncturist was extensive with a full year of supervised clinical education, if a trainer wants to add this to their treatment strategies they should seek out a degree in acupuncture.