No profession owns a treatment modality that they are qualified to conduct. Physical therapists have the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to perform this treatment, based on their expansive training on the human musculoskeletal and nervous system. With some additional training on precautions, indications, and technique, placing needles in muscles to address pain associated with that muscle is not a highly specialized skill in and of itself. Especially considering this is not the only tool in the PT toolbox. It's understandable why acupuncturists are up in arms, their livelihood is at stake. However, I think the two can coexist. Let's let research and a rigorous attention to science based medicine drive our decision making.