As one of the first physiclal therapists in the country to perform dry needling, in one of the first four states to consider dry needling within our scope of practice, I support physical therapists dry needling.  Physical therapists are highly trained in anatomy and the neuromuscular system of the human body.  Dry needling is one of the tools that a physical therapist might use to decrease pain, improve motion,  and restore function.  A study in 2014, found that the incidence of adverse events, following dry needling by physical therapists, was less than or equal to 0.04%.  Dry needling by physical therapists is SAFE.  The needles are placed in hyperirritable spots-trigger points.  The location is determined by palpation and the goal is to deactivate the trigger point.  Recent imaging studies have confirmed these hyperirritable spots and other studies have shown differences in the chemical make up of these trigger points.