I strongly support the practice of Trigger Point Dry Needling by trained physical therapists. I’ve been receiving this type of treatment by my highly skilled physical therapist for almost a year. I see a noticeable improvement from my back pain and increased functionality of my slow GI tract. There have been no negative effects observed so far.

I’ve had several rounds of acupuncture by different practitioners and saw little to no improvement. Unfortunately, one acupuncturist caused significant damage through the use of incense on the end of the needles that left my skin burned and led to an infection on my neck. This required antibiotics from my primary care physician and seven years later, I still have two large scars on my neck. Another acupuncturist I saw nine years ago was dismissive about my difficulty walking and said my neurological symptoms were from eating too much meat. I had no noticeable improvement. A few weeks later I was diagnosed by a neurologist with motor neuron disease and foot drop (both cause difficulty walking and are very serious), based on several test results.

It is my opinion from my personal experience that there is more variation in the credentials of an acupuncturist than a physical therapist. These treatments are not the same and should not be regulated as such.