Action | Practice of dry needling |
Stage | NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 12/30/2015 |
![]() |
The comments from acupuncturists saying that PTs should not be practicing dry needling because the are not trained in acupuncture are absurd. We are not claiming that we do acupuncture, nor are we claiming that we have been trained in the techniques. If they would take the time to look at what dry needling actually is, they would see that it is not the same. They are 2 completely different philosophies. All we are doing is sticking a needle in a trigger point, that we have had more than abundant training in learning to find. If they are against us sticking needles into a muscle, then I guess we should not be letting nurses draw blood or give shots either, and leave that to the acupuncturists as well. They have had nowhere near the anatomy training that PTs and acupuncturists have had. You need to look at the philosophy, and not just the fact that needles are being used. I don't consider either one a placebo effect. I have had dry needling done to me with great results, and I also encourage my patients to try acupuncture if PT is not helping. I think there is plenty of room to coexist in this arena. If a PT is saying they do acupunture, then their license to dry needle should be revoked. It is the actions of a few that are effecting the many.