Action | Practice of dry needling |
Stage | NOIRA |
Comment Period | Ended on 12/30/2015 |
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Physical Therapists are highly educated and trained Medical Professionals who specialize in treating the Neurological, Muscular and Skeletal movement systems via many modalities and Dry Needling is one such modality. Physical Therapists possess the anatomical, physiological and clinical knowledge to perform Trigger point Dry needling safely and effectively. PTs have several thousand hours of training in anatomy compared to a few hundred by acupuncturists.
A recent study by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy found that 86% of the knowledge and skills required to perform Trigger Point Dry Needling is obtained in the entry level education of Physical Therapists when they graduate from an accredited program. The post graduate training that is required fulfills the remaining education needed to obtain certification and practice safely and effectively. Currently, 54 additional training hours are needed in addition to the training and education to become a Physical Therapist which is typically 3 years of didactic and clinical education culminating in a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree after obtaining a Bachelor's degree in a related undergraduate field of study.