I strongly oppose the use of dry needling by athletic trainers. This invasive technique is not within their scope of practice, nor is it included in their formal education. Procedures involving needle insertion require rigorous, standardized training to ensure patient safety.

It is deeply concerning that some athletic trainers and physical therapists begin using dry needling on patients immediately after completing a brief weekend seminar, often with no prior hands-on experience. Would you trust a loved one to be someone’s first live patient after such limited training? This practice is not only unsafe—it defies common sense.

We have an obligation to protect the public, who may be unaware of the training required for such techniques. Expanding the scope of invasive procedures to providers without comprehensive education and oversight is a dangerous trend. If we allow this, where do we draw the line? Will massage therapists be next to perform injections?

I urge you to uphold high professional standards and prioritize public safety by enforcing strict training requirements and scope-of-practice boundaries. Please make the ethical choice.