As a practicing acupuncturist, I believe that only acupuncture professionals should needle patients to affect their health and athletic wellness. My training consisted of over 3000 hours of theory, palpation, anatomy & physiology, and supervised clinical training. I had over 500 hours of patient care experience by the time I graduated acupuncture school.

Often, physical therapists, chiropractors and athletic trainers only study for a weekend course before they advertise "dry needling."  It is confusing for patients who do not understand the distinction between acupuncture and 'dry needling' and it can lead to injury, nerve irritation and adverse outcomes. My sister is law was just injured in a chiropractic office when someone 'dry needled' her neck, and now she has nerve pain. 

Please heed the waning of the professionals who actually spend years learning how to improve health through needle and acupuncture therapies. Thank you!